GENETICS

By: Carla PizanoDate: 3/28/12

IntroGenetics is all about characteristics,

traits, disorders, cancer, heredity, cells, DNA, organisms, etc. It is the heredity and variation in living organisms. Organisms carry chromosomes. Genetics have a lot to do with traits. All of these things has it’s own explanation. They each have a reason why they are what they are. A lot of these things develop. DNA is mostly found in the nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.

Inherited TraitsAn inherited trait is a characteristic passed from your parents. Your traits are what you look like. Some traits could be, dimples or no dimples, attached earlobe or unattached, widows peak, straight or curly hair, left thumb or right thumb. Those are all examples of traits. Family members look alike sometimes, because their traits may be similar. Most people look different, because they have very different traits.

Genetic DisordersA genetic disorder is a disease. The main cause for genetic disorders is caused by DNA. The DNA would have to be individual. Not only that, but it would have to be abnormal too! They are in genes or chromosomes. They can also be caused by environmental factors.

Types of Genetic Disorders Hypothyroidism Colon cancer Breast/ovarian cancer Alzheimer’s disease Cri-du-chat syndrome Klinefelter syndrome Turner syndrome Williams syndrome Huntington’s disease Maple Syrup Urine Disease

(MSUD) Galactosemia Cystic Fibrosis Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID)

Sickle Cell Disease Adenosine Deaminase

(ADA) deficiency Smith-Lemli-Opitz

Syndrome (SLOS) Pachyonyhchia

Congenita

Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1)Neurofibromatosis-1 is an inherited disease. If either one of the parent has this disease the child can have it as well. The chance is about 50%. It cause tissue along the nerves and it can also cause pain. It can also loose function. Some symptoms are: Loosing sight Freckles in the underarm Large, big, soft tumors called plexiform neurofibromas, which can have a

dark color and can spread under the surface of the skin Tumors (small + rubbery) PainThere is ways to notice if you have this. Some things may be: Colored, raised spots (Lisch nodules) on the colored part (iris) of your eye During your early childhood, freckling in your armpits Big tumors in skinYou can also get tested: Eye exam Genetic test( to find a change)

Sickle Cell diseaseThis disease happens in your cells. It’s a disorder and it’s very serious. It makes red sickle shaped red blood cells “Sickle Shaped” means it’s shape something like a crescent. Red blood cells carry something important. It is iron rich protein. It is called hemoglobin. It carries oxygen, which you need. It carries it from the lungs to the rest of the body. Sickle cells can feel icky. Very stiff and sticky. People who have this are living until 40,50, or more years old.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

This is a birth defect. It causes amino acid. Amino acid is building blocks for protein. Although, too much of it is bad. People that have it, need to keep a steady diet. It helps keeps phenylketonuria with a good amount.

Kinefelter SyndromeThis kinefelter syndrome or xxy shows that males have an extra x chromosomes. Instead of having xy, they have xxy. Xxy is the term that is used to describe male. Or it can describe symptoms too.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin DeficiencyThis is a disorder. It’s enrolled with early development of emphysema, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, the lungs have a natural enzyme. It is called neutrophil elastase. If a child is born, it has two AAT genes. The way that the child is a “carrier,” is if one of the genes is abnormal, but the other isn’t.

CancerCancer is an uncontrolled growth. It is abnormal cells that grow out of control. Cancer is different from what other cells do. Instead of dying, it grows. Cells become this, because of damaged DNA. The damaged DNA isn’t repaired though.

How can cancer spread?Cancer can spread, because other cancer cells move to other parts of the body. Then, new cells grow there, and make tumors. This is called metastasis.

Reference http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/b

egin/traits/

http://www.genome.gov/10001204 http

://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/

http://www.mycanceradvisor.com/2009/12/15/metastasis-how-does-cancer-spread-to-other-parts-of-the-body/