Question

How does a chromosomal disorder differ from a Mendelian disorder ? Write one example for each.

Hint:

Mendelian disorders involve a single gene modification and can be tracked on a pedigree chart, whereas chromosomal disorders involve whole chromosome changes visible via karyotype.

Answer 1

Concept: Genetic disorders in humans are broadly classified into two categories based on their underlying structural or molecular cause: Mendelian disorders and Chromosomal disorders. Detailed Structural Differences: {|p{1.5cm}|p{5.5cm}|p{5.5cm}|} Feature & Mendelian Disorder & Chromosomal Disorder
Cause & Caused due to an alteration, mutation, or error in a single gene locus. & Caused due to the absence, excess, or abnormal arrangement of one or more whole chromosomes.
Detection & Can be traced through family histories using pedigree analysis. & Can be diagnosed via structural visualization of chromosomes (Karyotyping).
Nature & These disorders are transmitted to offspring following strict principles of Mendelian inheritance. & These are typically non-heritable anomalies that occur dynamically during gametogenesis.
Example & Haemophilia, Sickle-cell anaemia, Cystic fibrosis, Phenylketonuria. & Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome.