Chromosome instability
Chromosome Instability
Chromosome instability (pronunciation: kroh-muh-sohm in-stuh-bil-i-tee) is a condition characterized by an increased rate of chromosomal changes within a cell population. It is a hallmark of many types of cancer and other genetic disorders.
Etymology
The term "chromosome instability" is derived from the Greek words "chroma" meaning color, "soma" meaning body, and the English word "instability" meaning the state of being unstable. It refers to the unstable nature of chromosomes in certain conditions.
Definition
Chromosome instability involves changes in the number and structure of chromosomes. These changes can include aneuploidy, the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes, and structural aberrations, such as deletions, duplications, inversions, and translocations.
Causes
Chromosome instability can be caused by a variety of factors, including DNA damage, errors in DNA replication, and defects in DNA repair mechanisms. It can also be induced by environmental factors such as radiation and certain chemicals.
Related Terms
- Aneuploidy: A condition in which a cell has an abnormal number of chromosomes.
- Structural aberrations: Changes in the structure of chromosomes, such as deletions, duplications, inversions, and translocations.
- DNA damage: Changes to the chemical structure of DNA.
- DNA replication: The process by which a DNA molecule makes a copy of itself.
- DNA repair: The collection of processes by which a cell identifies and corrects damage to the DNA molecules that encode its genome.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chromosome instability
- Wikipedia's article - Chromosome instability
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