Ashkenazi refers to a certain ethnic group of Jewish people that are of Eastern European descent. These groups of people are predisposed to certain genetic diseases. These diseases can abruptly shorten life-span and wreak havoc on the body. Most...
Autosomal recessive refers to type of inheritance pattern in which a certain disease develops because both parents carry the trait on their genes. According to MedlinePlus, genes are presented in pairs that express certain traits. A defect in one...
According to the Human Genome Project, both environmental and genetic factors influence the development of any disease, including hereditary diseases. A hereditary disease or genetic disorder, is caused by abnormalities in a person's genetic...
Genetic disorders are caused by a defect in a gene, which is a specific piece of DNA (the building block of the genetic code) in a specific location on a chromosome. Recessive genetic disorders are diseases that require two defective genes,...
A cell mutation is an accidental change in the genetic code, or DNA. Most mutations cause a protein to be missing or malformed. Some genetic mutations are inherited, while others occur as a result of environmental factors, such as UV radiation,...
Metabolic diseases are caused by genetic birth defects that interrupt the body's metabolism and affect close to one out of 4,000 people, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. There are thousands of different metabolic disorders that cause a specific...
The lysosome is an intracellular organelle (a small compartment within almost each cell) that is necessary for breaking down large molecules (chemical, atomic structure or protein). Molecules need to be broken down either because they were...
Genetic diseases are caused by gene mutations that lead to abnormalities or deficiencies of necessary proteins or enzymes. This, in turn, makes the tissues or organs dysfunctional. Some genetic disorders result from spontaneous mutations during...
Inherited genetic diseases are passed on by either one parent--as in the case of autosomal dominant diseases, in which only one copy of the gene need be present for a person to have a disorder--or by both parents. In recessive genetic diseases,...
Genetic diseases result from mutations or abnormalities on chromosomes or genes. Some ethnic groups are at higher risk for some genetic diseases than others, but the diseases can occur in any group, according to the Genetic Disease Foundation....
Genes are the individual building blocks that provide information for how the body is built. When a gene is damaged or mutated, information may be lost, and the result may be a genetic disease. An analogous situation would be baking from a recipe...
Cerebromacular Degeneration is also known as Tay Sachs disease. It is an inherited disorder in which the body is unable to process certain kinds of fat, which build up in the brain and damage brain nerve cells. Children born with Tay Sachs...
Life begins when the fusion of an egg and sperm forms a single cell, which contains the DNA blueprint required to grow and develop into a complex organism. Almost all human cells contain a pair of each of 23 chromosomes--very large stretches of...
Genetic mutations cause permanent changes in a DNA sequence that makes up a gene, according to Medline Plus. Mutations can range in size, varying from a single DNA block to a large segment of a chromosome. Individuals inherit genetic mutations...
Demyelinating disease causes the myelin sheaths that cover nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to deteriorate. When myelin sheaths deteriorate, the nerves can't properly transmit impulses. Demyelination of the nerves can occur in the nerves...
The nervous system provides a communications network for the brain to send messages to the muscles and organs of the body, and for the body to send information back to the brain. An elaborate web of sensory nerves enables people to see, hear,...
Childhood genetic disorders are caused by mutations or defects in the genes passed on to children from their parents. One important goal to keep in mind when helping children with disorders is to maximize their potential for a normal life. Besides...
Genetic diseases occur because of abnormal genes or chromosomes. Causes of genetic diseases include mutated genes, chromosome duplication, missing chromosomes and a portion of a chromosome erroneously attaching to another chromosome. Some genetic...
The spleen is a small organ located in the left side of the abdomen below the stomach that serves vital functions in the body. It produces white blood cells that enable the body to fight infection, and it stores platelets that enable blood to...
When a child is mentally challenged, delays in normal development are experienced. The level of impairment can be mild, with the child having an IQ between 52 and 69. In more severe cases, the IQ can be as low as 20 to 35, according to the "Merck...
Genetic diseases are medical conditions that are the result of faulty or mutated genetic material. The diseases are impossible to cure at this time because the abnormal DNA is present in all of the cells in the body. Genetic diseases are usually...
The terms "mentally challenged" and "mentally retarded" are often used interchangeably to mean someone whose general intellectual functioning is significantly sub-average. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders...
Infants inherit genetic diseases from parents who are "carriers" of diseases. This occurs because people have two copies of every gene, and many genetic diseases require two abnormal genes to have an effect. People with one mutated gene are called...
Deciding to have a baby is one of the most difficult and important decisions a person can make. Though having a baby can bring many joys and rewards, it also changes a person's life forever. While many men are cognizant of the benefits and...
Lipids, or fats, are an important source of energy in the human body. Lipids in the body are constantly broken down, metabolized and used for energy production and replenished from food. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library underlines that...
Your body contains thousands of genes, which code for thousands of different proteins. Each protein, which is made up of a sequence of amino acids, contributes to the structure or function of your cells by supporting your metabolism, promoting...
Genetic diseases are caused by defects in genes, segments of DNA that govern specific characteristics in a person. Common genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis or Huntington's disease aren't always inherited, but may occur as a spontaneous...
Human development is a carefully choreographed process that relies on the movement, behavior and development of millions of cells. Central to proper development are thousands of genes that control cell behavior and guide organ and tissue...
Choosing whether to learn the gender of your baby is an important decision for many expectant mothers and fathers. Although some prefer the element of surprise, an estimated 50 percent to 70 percent of parents-to-be decide to find out their baby's...
