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Chapter 6: Problem 7

Why do human monosomics most often fail to survive prenatal development?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Human monosomics often have severe consequences on prenatal development, as the loss of a chromosome leads to a deficiency in essential genes and proteins. These deficiencies disrupt normal cellular function and the formation of tissues and organs, ultimately making it difficult for the individual to develop properly and survive. In most cases, monosomic individuals fail to survive prenatal development, although some, like those with Turner Syndrome, may survive into adulthood with various health issues and developmental challenges.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Human Monosomics

Monosomics refers to the condition where an individual has a missing chromosome from one of their pairs, resulting in an odd number of chromosomes. In humans, this typically means having 45 chromosomes instead of the normal 46.
02

Importance of Chromosome Number

Each chromosome carries specific genes that encode for proteins, which are essential for normal cellular function and development. When a chromosome is missing, it results in a loss of these essential genes and their corresponding proteins, often causing severe effects on an individual's growth and development.
03

Effects of Monosomics on Prenatal Development

During prenatal development, the cells are rapidly dividing and differentiating into specialized cell types that will form tissues and organs. In monosomic individuals, the loss of a chromosome and its corresponding genes may lead to improper cellular function, incorrect formation of tissues and organs, and overall disruption of normal development.
04

Turner Syndrome as an Example

Turner Syndrome is an example of human monosomics, where affected individuals are missing one of their X chromosomes (resulting in a total of 45 chromosomes). While most cases of monosomics result in early miscarriage, some individuals with Turner Syndrome can survive into adulthood, though they may face various health issues and developmental challenges due to the absence of specific genes from the missing chromosome.
05

In Conclusion

Human monosomics most often fail to survive prenatal development because the loss of a chromosome leads to a deficiency in essential genes and proteins. These deficiencies disrupt normal cellular function and the formation of tissues and organs, ultimately making it difficult for the individual to develop properly and survive.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Describe the origin of cultivated American cotton.

Mendelian ratios are modified in crosses involving autotetraploids. Assume that one plant expresses the dominant trait green seeds and is homozygous (WWWW). This plant is crossed to one with white seeds that is also homozygous (wwww). If only one dominant allele is sufficient to produce green seeds, predict the \(\mathrm{F}_{1}\) and \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\) results of such a cross. Assume that synapsis between chromosome pairs is random during meiosis.

In a human genetic study, a family with five phenotypically normal children was investigated. Two children were "homozy. gous" for a Robertsonian translocation between chromosomes 19 and 20 (they contained two identical copies of the fused chromosome). They have only 44 chromosomes but a complete genetic complement. Three of the children were "heterozygous" for the translocation and contained 45 chromosomes, with one translocated chromosome plus a normal copy of both chromosomes 19 and \(20 .\) Two other pregnancies resulted in stillbirths. It was later discovered that the parents were first cousins. Based on this information, determine the chromosome compositions of the parents. What led to the stillbirths? Why was the discovery that the parents were first cousins a key piece of information in understanding the genetics of this family?

Drosophila may be monosomic for chromosome \(4,\) yet remain fer tile. Contrast the \(\mathrm{F}_{1}\) and \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\) results of the following crosses involving the recessive chromosome 4 trait, bent bristles: (a) monosomic IV, bent bristles \(\times\) normal bristles; (b) monosomic \(\mathrm{IV}\), normal bristles \(\times\) bent bristles.

Contrast the fertility of an allotetraploid with an autotriploid and an autotetraploid.
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