Monday, July 20, 2009

Inherited Genetic Diseases

A genetic disorder occurs due to abnormal mutations of the genes in an organism. There are basically four different kinds of genetic inheritances that are caused due to various factors which produce different diseases in individuals.








Genetic Disorders


A genetic disorder or disease is caused by an irregularity or an abnormality in the individual's genome, which consists of the entire genetic components and material as inherited by an organism.


Different types of inherited diseases- Single Gene


This is also known as monogenic or Mendelian genetic inheritance. This inheritance occurs when a mutation or a change occurs in the DNA sequence of a single gene. Common diseases include sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Huntington's disease, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis


Multifactor Inheritance








This is also known as polygenic or complex inheritance and is caused when mutation occurs in multiple genes of an organism. example, breast cancer occurs as a result of mutations of chromosomes 6,11,13,14, 15, 17 and 22. Other diseases include heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's. Multifactorial inheritance also is responsible for the skin and eye color, height and fingerprint patterns in individuals.


Chromosome abnormalities


These occur when there is an abnormality in the number or structure of chromosomes. Example, Down syndrome occurs when there are three copies of chromosome 21. Other diseases include Klienefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome and cat cry syndrome.


Mitochondrial inheritance


This refers to a mutation of the nonchromosonal DNA of the mitochondria. Common diseases include Leber's optic atrophy, Myoclonus epilepsy, Lactic Acidosis and stroke-like episodes.

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