Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects
Many developmental disorders are linked to genetics in some way.
Genes contain DNA, the code that directs the development of cells.
A mutation in a gene or a cluster of genes can cause a genetic
condition or birth defect. The gene's chromosomes can... More
Many developmental disorders are linked to genetics in some way. Genes contain DNA, the code that directs the development of cells. A mutation in a gene or a cluster of genes can cause a genetic condition or birth defect. The gene's chromosomes can also be responsible for a birth defect like Down syndrome. If your family has a possible genetic disorder, genetic counseling can help you learn if your children will be affected. Less
Recently Answered
- Q Does every person have some cancer cells in their body?
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For all the threats that cancer poses, the truth is that most of us know more about 1970s sitcoms than we really know about cancer. For instance, you probably don't know that you have cancer. That's right. Every single person has cancer cells in them.... More
- Q Do acid-base metabolism disorders affect children differently than adults?
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Infants and very young children have less mature kidneys and therefore cannot buffer the blood as efficiently as adults, but the mechanisms for maintiaining normal blood pH (acidity level) are the same in all age groups. More
- Q What are somatic cancer gene alterations?
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Errors sometimes occur during the gene copying process. If they occur during mitosis, after conception, such as during the teenage or young adult years they are known as somatic mutations. Most cancers are a direct result of somatic mutations... More
Sporadic cancers are not heritable (i.e. not caused by germline gene alterations). Somatic genetic alterations (mutations) occur only in cancer cells and cannot be passed on. Somatic mutations elicit gene alterations until a cell turns cancerous. Further... More
- Q What protein leads to the activation of integrins?
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Talin is a protein that controls how cells adhere and move in the body. It induces the activation of these integrin receptors, leading to an array of physiological responses. More
- Q What makes us different from each other?
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Differences in people come from slight variations in the genes, which determine everything from hair and eye color to whether or not a person is more or less susceptible to certain diseases. More
- Q How are instructions encoded in my DNA?
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Cells are the building blocks of the body. Each cell in your body contains instructions encoded in your DNA that are parceled into 23 pairs of chromosomes. Approximately 39,000 genes, which are the instruction booklets made of DNA, are found dotted along... More
