1. Genetic Disorders
-A genetic disorder is a disorder caused by mistakes in the genetic makeup of an organism
-Two major ways that genetic disorders can happen is through changes in the DNA or when the number of chromosomes in an organism is not correct
-Some genetic diseases can be dominant and some can be recessive

2. Genetic Disorders Recessive Disorders Albinism
-a condition where organism have little to no pigment
-affects all humans and animals
Cystic Fibrosis
-a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus that clogs
the lungs
-treated through medicine and monitoring

3. Genetic Disorders Tay-Sachs
-a disease caused by the lack of production of an
enzyme, hexosaminidase A (Hex A), which breaks
down fatty protein deposits in the brain which impair
vision, hearing, movement, and mental
development
-there are no treatments for this disease
Phenylketonuria
-a disease where the body cannot process the
protein phenylalanine (phe) which is present in
most foods
-the best treatment is a low-protein diet

4. Genetic Disorders Dominant Disorders Huntington’s
-a neural disease resulting in the degeneration of
brain cells
-there are no treatments for this disease
Dwarfism
-a condition involving short stature
-can happen between two average height parents
-caused by a change in a gene (FGFR3)
responsible for average height during sperm or egg
production or early in development
-once this happens, the trait is dominant

5. Genetic Disorders Neurofibromatosis
-causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue and cause
problems as they press on other parts of the body
(bones, skin, nervous tissue)
-treatment includes tumor removal
Chromosomal Disorders
-caused by homologues failing to separate in anaphase I or chromatids failing to separate in anaphase II
Down Syndrome
-also known as trisomy 21 (an extra 21 chromosome)
-affects 1 in 700 children
-associated with shortened lifespan, mental
retardation, and susceptibility to other genetic
problems

6. Genetic Disorders Patau Syndrome
-also known as trisomy 13 (an extra 13 chromosome)
-affects 1 in 5000 children
-child usually lives no longer than a few months
Sex Chromosomes
-either an extra X or Y chromosome
-most of the time, leads to abnormalities

7. Genetic Solutions Directions:
Knowing what you know about cells and genetics, how do you think scientists might be able to develop a cure for these disorders?
Things to consider:
-all cells in your body have the same genetic code
-there are many possible ways to change DNA
-think about the process of meiosis (pre-fertilization) or the embryo (post-fertilization) where the person is just one cell