


isochromosomes form when the centromere divides along the transverse plane rather than the normal long axis of the chromosome so that both arms are identical. When deletion occurs at both ends of the chromosome, the two damaged ends can unite to form a circle and the rearrangement produces a ring chromosome. An example of this type of chromosomal abnormality is cri du chat syndrome, a deletion in the short arm of chromosome 5, marked by mental retardation and sometimes congenital heart defects. deletion occurs when a portion of a chromosome is lost. inversion refers to a change in the sequence of genes along the chromosome, which occurs when there are two breaks in a chromosome and the segment between the breaks is reversed and reattached to the wrong ends. translocation involves the transfer of a segment of one chromosome to another. Other abnormal structural changes in the chromosome are consequences of some kind of chromosomal breakage, with either the loss or rearrangement of genetic material. Mosaicism involving the sex chromosomes is not uncommon. Either trisomy or monosomy involving the sex chromosomes yields relatively mild abnormalities.Ī condition known as mosaicism results from an error in the distribution of chromosomes between daughter cells during an early embryonic cell division, producing two and sometimes three populations of cells with different chromosome numbers in the same individual. Monosomy involving an autosome usually results in the loss of too much genetic information to permit sufficient fetal development for a live birth. The term monosomy refers to the absence of one of a pair of homologous chromosomes. Another example is patau's syndrome ( trisomy 13), which produces severe anatomical malformations and profound mental retardation. An example of this type of disorder is a form of down syndrome ( trisomy 21). In the language of the geneticist, trisomy refers to the presence of an additional chromosome that is homologous with one of the existing pairs so that that particular chromosome is present in triplicate. A large majority of cytogenetic abnormalities can be identified by cytogenetic analysis either before birth, by means of chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, or after birth.Ĭytogenetic disorders with visible chromosomal abnormalities are evidenced by either an abnormal number of chromosomes or some alteration in the structure of one or more chromosomes. About one in every 100 newborn infants do, however, have a gross demonstrable chromosomal abnormality.
REGION X CONSORTIUM FULL
The prevalence of chromosomal disorders cannot be fully and accurately determined because many of these disorders do not permit full embryonic and fetal development and therefore end in spontaneous abortion. Karyotyping is useful in determining the presence of chromosome defects.īefore the chromosomes could be precisely identified they were placed in seven groups: A (chromosomes 1–3), B (4–5), C (6–12 and X), D (13–15), E (16–18), F (19–20), and G (21–22 and Y).Ĭhromosomal Abnormalities. The autosomes are numbered 1–22, roughly in order of decreasing length. It is also possible to make a photomicrograph of a cell nucleus, cut it apart, and rearrange it so that the individual chromosomes are in order and labeled.

The chromosomal characteristics of an individual are referred to as the karyotype. The chromosomes can be stained by one of several techniques that produce a distinct pattern of light and dark bands along the chromosomes, and each chromosome can be recognized by its size and banding pattern.

Cell division is arrested in mid-metaphase by the drug Colcemid. The cells are then cultured in the laboratory until they divide.
REGION X CONSORTIUM SKIN
This can be done on fetal cells obtained by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, on lymphocytes from a blood sample, on skin cells from a biopsy, or on cells from products of conception such as an aborted fetus.
