Human Genetics A Pedigree of a Recessive Human Trait Note that the trait can appear in offspring of parents without the trait. Heterozygotes who do not show the trait are termed carriers. A Pedigree of a Dominant Human Trait Note that the trait appears in every generation and ½ the offspring of an affected heterozygote are expected to show the trait. X-linked Inheritance – When Men and Woman Play by Different Rules Behind the 8-ball? Colorblindness is an X-linked recessive trait. X-linked Inheritance There are many X-linked recessive traits. Pedigree Analysis is a Key Tool in Human Genetics Analyzing a pedigree is like puzzle-building – you try things (assigning potential genotypes) until the pieces fit (you’re as certain as you can be about genotypes and modes of transmission (autosomal vs. X-linked; dominant vs. recessive). Lab Karyotyping http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/ bv.fcgi?rid=gnd http://www.biology.arizona.edu/hum an_bio/activities/karyotyping/kary otyping.html http://explorelearning.com Searching for Chromosomal Defects - Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling Many new techniques for learning about individual genes rather than whole chromosomes are available or under development. Searching for Chromosome and Gene Defects – Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Removing a cell for diagnosis from a human embryo. The diagnosis: trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Chromosomes and Inheritance Since genes are carried on chromosomes, knowledge of chromosome number and structure has farreaching implications for basic genetics, human health, and evolution. A normal human male karyotype. Chromosome Non-Disjunction in Meiosis Causes Aneuploidy Changes in Chromosome Number and Structure Changes in chromosome number and structure are important for health and evolution. Down syndrome is caused by a change in chromosome number. Aneuploidy Aneuploidy occurs when one of the chromosomes is present in an abnormal number of copies. Trisomy and monosomy are two forms of aneuploidy. Down Syndrome is Caused by Trisomy for Chromosome 21 Aneuploidy is remarkably common, causing termination of at least 25% of human conceptions. Aneuploidy is also a driving force in cancer progression (virtually all cancer cells are aneuploid). The Frequency of Chromosome Non-Disjunction And Down Syndrome Rises Sharply with Maternal Age The phenomenon is clear – the explanation isn’t. Patau Syndrome Edwards Syndrome Sex Chromosome Aneuploid Conditions are Common Turner Syndrome Klinefelter syndrome Klinefelter syndrome Jacob Syndrome Triple X Syndrome Turner Syndrome Xo Chromosome Structural Changes There are 4 types of chromosome structural change – all of them associated with human disorders A Boy with Cri-du-Chat Syndrome – a Debilitating Disorder Caused by Chromosome Deletion Cri-du-Chat is Caused by the Loss of the Short Arm of One Copy of Chromosome 5 Translocations Lead to a Number of Human Cancers In Burkitt’s lymphoma, a chromosome translocation causes a cell cycle-promoting gene to always be active. Polyploidy Polyploidy occurs when all the chromosomes are present in three or more copies. Polyploidy is common in plants and rare in animals. Polyploids Are Created When Chromosome Number Doubles A common way for this to occur is for the mitotic spindle to fail, leaving all chromosomes in one cell. Polyploidy is a Major Force in Plant Evolution Roughly 35% of flowering plants (the most familiar plant species) arose through polyploidization. Most Crop Species are Polyploid Polyploids, like the one on the left, are larger than their diploid progenitors (strawberry on right).