When either folate or vitamin B-12 is lacking, the amount of homocysteine in the body ______.Multiple choice question.increasesdecreases

The correct answer is "increases."

Explanation:

Folate and vitamin B-12 are essential vitamins that play crucial roles in the body's metabolic processes, particularly in the metabolism of amino acids. One of the key amino acids involved in this process is homocysteine.

When either folate or vitamin B-12 levels are insufficient, the body struggles to convert homocysteine into methionine, another important amino acid. This leads to a build-up of homocysteine in the bloodstream. High levels of homocysteine are associated with several health risks, including cardiovascular diseases.

Thus, deficiencies in either of these vitamins result in increased concentrations of homocysteine, contributing to potential health complications. This illustrates the importance of maintaining adequate levels of folate and vitamin B-12 for overall health and metabolic functioning.