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Genetic Disorders Things Can Go Wrong With DNA and Chromosomes

I. Overview of DNA Structure A. Review 1. A gene is a segment of DNA that codes for a particular protein 2. Proteins determine the physical traits of an organism 3. In humans, DNA is organized into 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes (46 Chromosomes total). B. DNA Structure 1. The basic building block of DNA is a nucleotide 2. Nucleotide chains are held together to form a double helix 3. Nucleotides are represented using the letters A,T,C,G

One nucleotide

II. DNA Based Disorders A. Dysfunctional Genes 1. A gene can be missing some of its nucleotides or some of the nucleotides present may be in the wrong order • The protein made from that gene may not work properly B. Missing Genes 1. A person can be born missing most or all of a gene • No protein is produced and the trait cannot be expressed properly • C. Genetic Mutations • The result of dysfunctional genes • Can be bad, causing life threatening diseases • Can be good, contributing to evolution through variation

C. Examples of DNA Based Disorders 1. Sickle-cell anemia • Caused by a substitution of one nucleotide in the allele for normal hemoglobin • Red blood cells become sickle-shaped • These tend to become stuck in capillaries, leading to tissue death • Most common among individuals with African decent, because it provides a resistance to Malaria Normal Red Blood Cell Sickle Cell

Huntington’s Disease • Produced by a single dominant allele • A gradual change of the nervous system occurs around the age of 30 or 40 • Marked by a painful, progressive loss of muscle control and mental function until death occurs

III. Chromosomal Based Disorders • Causes 1. Nondisjunction • during meiosis I, homologous chromosomes do not separate properly • Produces an extra copy of a chromosome in one cell, and a loss of that chromosome from another • Results • After fertilization, the resulting person will have an abnormal number of chromosomes • A monosomic cell is missing one chromosome • A trisomic cell has one extra chromosome • QQ 4 – What is the difference between DNA and chromosomal based genetic disorders?

C. Nondisjunction of Sex Chromosomes • Genes critical to all embryonic development are on the X chromosome • absence of an X chromosome is lethal • absence of a Y chromosome is not lethal • Individuals can survive if they have an extra sex chromosome • Affects approximately 1 birth in every 1000

D. Disorders involving Sex Chromosomes 1. Klinefelter Syndrome  males with extra X-chromosomes •  can be XXY, XXXY, OR XXXXY • Affects 1/500 births • phenotypically male • low body hair count, long legs, thin, increased possibility of sterility unless receiving treatment • mental retardation occurs when there are more than 2 X-chromosomes

2. Triple X and Quad X Syndrome •  females with extra X-chromosomes (XXX, or XXXX) • Affects 1/700 female births • sometimes no visible difference from XX females • limited fertility • XXXX females are always mentally retarded • 3. Turner Syndrome •  females with only one X-chromosome • Affects 1/2500 live female births • more than 90% self abort • no ovaries, short, shield-like chestlow set ears, webbed neck • no mental deficiencies

E. Nondisjunction of Autosomal Chromosomes • Can affect chromosomes #1 - #22 • There only 3 trisomies that result in a baby that can survive for a time after birth • Most frequently, the baby dies in utero. F. Disorders Involving Autosomal Chromosomes 1. Down Syndrome  one extra chromosome 21 -written as (47,+21) • 1/6 die within the first year • average life expectancy is 16 years • lower than average mentality • shorter than average height, broad forehead, round head, open mouth, etc.

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