Aneuploid
Aneuploidy
Aneuploidy (pronounced: an-yoo-ploi-dee) is a condition in which the cell has an abnormal number of chromosomes. This can lead to a variety of genetic disorders, including Down syndrome and Turner syndrome.
Etymology
The term "aneuploidy" comes from the Greek words "an-", meaning "not", "eu-", meaning "good", and "ploidy", meaning "set". Thus, "aneuploidy" essentially means "not a good set" of chromosomes.
Types of Aneuploidy
There are several types of aneuploidy, depending on which chromosomes are affected and how many extra or missing chromosomes there are. These include:
- Monosomy: A condition in which a cell has only one copy of a particular chromosome instead of the usual two. An example is Turner syndrome, which is caused by monosomy of the X chromosome.
- Trisomy: A condition in which a cell has three copies of a particular chromosome instead of the usual two. An example is Down syndrome, which is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21.
- Tetrasomy: A condition in which a cell has four copies of a particular chromosome instead of the usual two. An example is Pallister-Killian syndrome, which is caused by tetrasomy of chromosome 12p.
Causes of Aneuploidy
Aneuploidy is usually caused by errors in meiosis, the process of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells). These errors can occur during either the first or second division of meiosis, and can result in gametes that have too many or too few chromosomes. When these gametes are involved in fertilization, they can produce embryos with an abnormal number of chromosomes.
Related Terms
- Polyploidy: A condition in which a cell has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.
- Nondisjunction: The failure of chromosomes to separate properly during cell division, which is a common cause of aneuploidy.
- Mosaicism: A condition in which an individual has two or more populations of cells with different genetic characteristics.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aneuploid
- Wikipedia's article - Aneuploid
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