Genetic Disorders
A genetic disorder is any disorder that is caused by abnormalities in a genome of an individual. The abnormality can be either major or minor. It can either be a mutation of a small part of a gene or abnormality in a whole set of chromosomes.
Genetic disorders can be inherited from parents. At least one or maybe even both of the parents have to be carriers of the gene in order for the disorder to occur. There are other types of genetic disorders that can also occur due to environmental factors. This includes lifestyle. Lifestyles can affect genomes in people and cause mutations.
Genetic disorders are grouped into three different categories. These are the single gene, chromosomal and multi factorial. Single gene disorders can only be inherited from parents and results from a damaged or mutated gene’s inability to function properly. Multifactorial disorders are variants in genes caused by a combination of environmental factors and mutations in the genes. Smoking and overeating are some of the environmental factors that can lead to these diseases. Chromosomal disorders occur when the chromosomes are imbalanced
Genetic disorders can be inherited from parents. At least one or maybe even both of the parents have to be carriers of the gene in order for the disorder to occur. There are other types of genetic disorders that can also occur due to environmental factors. This includes lifestyle. Lifestyles can affect genomes in people and cause mutations.
Genetic disorders are grouped into three different categories. These are the single gene, chromosomal and multi factorial. Single gene disorders can only be inherited from parents and results from a damaged or mutated gene’s inability to function properly. Multifactorial disorders are variants in genes caused by a combination of environmental factors and mutations in the genes. Smoking and overeating are some of the environmental factors that can lead to these diseases. Chromosomal disorders occur when the chromosomes are imbalanced
Genetic disorders can be caused by:
• Deletions: This is a mutation in which a section of DNA is lost or deleted. This occurs when a nitrogenous base is taken out of the sequence.
• Duplications: A portion of a chromosome is duplicated resulting in extra amount of genetic material.
• Deletions: This is a mutation in which a section of DNA is lost or deleted. This occurs when a nitrogenous base is taken out of the sequence.
• Duplications: A portion of a chromosome is duplicated resulting in extra amount of genetic material.
Causes of Mutations
Mutations can occur because of a few reasons. Mutations can happen when DNA fails to copy accurately. When a cell divides, it makes a copy of its DNA and sometimes this copy can be inaccurate. The change in the DNA is called a mutation.
External factors such as chemicals and radiation can also damage genes. However, most mutations occur when the cell makes errors as it copies its genes. Genes are made out of DNA, a chemical code with four different 'letters'. Each time one of your cells divides, it must copy around 6000 million letters of DNA code. Occasionally, mistakes are made, causing mutations. Most of these are corrected immediately, but a few manage to escape unnoticed.
External factors such as chemicals and radiation can also damage genes. However, most mutations occur when the cell makes errors as it copies its genes. Genes are made out of DNA, a chemical code with four different 'letters'. Each time one of your cells divides, it must copy around 6000 million letters of DNA code. Occasionally, mistakes are made, causing mutations. Most of these are corrected immediately, but a few manage to escape unnoticed.