Malfunctioning Meiosis and Genetic Disorders

Meiosis is the process of making sex cells, which are haploid (only contain 1 of each type of chromosome in each cell, 23 of 46 in humans). These are known as sperm cells in males, and egg cells in females. Although this is a process that occurs often, 24/7 in males, and once approximately every 28 days in females, mistakes do occur during the process in both genders. If the sex cell that is not “normal” is the one to fertilize the egg, or is fertilized by the sperm cell, the child could be born with a condition, or a chromosome disorder, depending upon the mistake that was made during the process.

Cri-du-chat is French for “cry of the cat”. It is called this due to the cry that children have when they have this disorder. This disorder causes the deletion on the short arm of Chromosome number 5, causing many genetics to “disappear”, or be lacking during the ‘assembly’ of the organism, in this case, the child. This syndrome is one of the most common chromosome deletion genetic disorders and affects between 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 50,000 children. Some symptoms of the Cri-du-chat Syndrome can include wide-set eyes, mental retardation, and a small jaw, downward slant in the eyes, a small head, and skin tags in front of the ear, slow growth, partial webbing of fingers or toes, high-pitched cat cry, and more. There are currently no known treatments or cures to this disorder.

 

 

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder where extra genetic material causes a large variety of problems for the holder. It is a condition in which there is extra genetic material in the body and delays the way the child develops physically and mentally (Kids Health). Although it is not preventable, there are treatments available to help children with this condition. Chromosome number 21 is the extra chromosome the baby inherits to get this disease, causing a change in physical appearance. Children with Down syndrome often have flattened facial features, small head, short neck, protruding tongue, and unusual shaped ears. Also, they may have poor muscle tone, short hands and short fingers, a single crease in the palm, and excessive flexibility (Mayo Clinic). Down syndrome is usually not inherited; however it could be passed down. Most of the time, this disorder is caused solely by the abnormal cell division during Meiosis and results in an extra chromosome 21.

As you can see, Meiosis is an essential process for proper development and what is considered normal and not. Scientists are always looking for new ways to cure and prevent these, and many other genetic orders found within different organisms.

Resources

Gavin, Mary L., MD. "KidsHealth." Down Syndrome. KidsHealth, Feb. 2012. Web. 2 Mar. 2013. http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html .

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Down Syndrome." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 07 Apr. 2011. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/down-syndrome/DS00182 .

Weiss, Thomas C. "Cri Du Chat Syndrome - Facts and Information." Cri Du Chat Syndrome - Facts and Information. Disabled-World, 21 Feb. 2010. Web. 3 Mar. 2013. http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/cri-du-chat.php .