Question

What are Mendelian disorders? Describe Thalassemia with an example.

Hint:

Mendelian disorders are caused by single-gene mutations and follow predictable inheritance patterns. Thalassemia is a recessive genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin production.

Answer 1

Step 1: Define Mendelian Disorders.
Mendelian disorders are genetic disorders caused by mutations in a single gene, following the principles of inheritance established by Gregor Mendel. These disorders can be dominant or recessive.
Step 2: Thalassemia Overview.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by the reduced production of hemoglobin. This leads to anemia, fatigue, and other health problems.
Step 3: Example of Thalassemia.
An example of thalassemia is Beta-thalassemia, where there is a mutation in the beta-globin gene. This results in reduced or absent production of beta-globin chains, leading to an imbalance in hemoglobin production.
Step 4: Inheritance Pattern of Thalassemia.
Thalassemia follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, meaning a person must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease.