Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is a biological phenomenon that occurs during meiosis or mitosis, where chromosomes fail to separate properly. This results in daughter cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes, a condition known as aneuploidy. Nondisjunction can occur in any chromosome, but is most commonly associated with chromosome 21, leading to Down syndrome.

Causes

Nondisjunction can occur during either meiosis I or meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes fail to separate, while in meiosis II, sister chromatids fail to separate. The exact cause of nondisjunction is not well understood, but it is believed to be related to a variety of factors, including age, environmental factors, and genetic predisposition.

Consequences

The consequences of nondisjunction can be severe, leading to a variety of genetic disorders. These include:

• Down syndrome: Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
• Klinefelter syndrome: Caused by an extra X chromosome in males.
• Turner syndrome: Caused by a missing X chromosome in females.
• Edward syndrome: Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 18.
• Patau syndrome: Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 13.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of conditions caused by nondisjunction can often be made prenatally, through techniques such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Treatment varies depending on the specific condition and its severity, but often involves a combination of medical care, physical therapy, and educational support.

See Also

• Meiosis
• Mitosis
• Chromosome
• Aneuploidy
• Genetic disorder

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