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9: Chromosomal Disorders

  • Page ID
    171279
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    • 9.1: Changes in Chromosome Number
      If something goes wrong during cell division, an entire chromosome may be lost and the cell will lack all of these genes. The causes behind these chromosome abnormalites and the consequences they have for the cell and the organism is the subject of this section.
    • 9.2: Changes in Chromosome Structure
      If the chromosome is altered, but still retains the three critical features of a chromosome (centromeres, telomeres, and origin of replication), it will continue to be inherited during subsequent cell divisions, however the daughter cell may not retain all the genes. For example, if a segment of the chromosome has been lost, the cell may be missing some genes. The causes of chromosome structural abnormalites, which involves breaks in the DNA that makes up the chromosome.
    • 9.3: Chromosome Abnormalities in Humans
      To better understand the consequences let's consider those that affect people. As you will recall  humans are 2n=46. The convention when describing a person's karyotype (chromosome composition) is to list the total number of chromosomes, then the sex chromosomes, and then anything out of the ordinary. Most of us are 46,XX or 46,XY. What follows are some examples of chromosome number and chromosome structure abnormalities.
    • 9.4: Diagnosing Human Chromosome Abnormalities
      How can we confirm that a person has a specific chromosomal abnormality? The first method was simply to obtain a sample of their cells, stain the chromosomes with Giemsa dye, and examine the results with a light microscope. Each chromosome can be recognized by its length, the location of its centromere, and the characteristic pattern of purple bands produced by the Giemsa.
    • 9.5: Gene Balance
    • 9.6: X-inactivation
      How XX human females (and other female mammals) shut down one of their X chromosomes in each cell. Disorders of sex chromosome number: Klinefelter, triple X, and Turner syndromes.


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