Heredity

Heredity is a Division B event that rotated in for the 2019 season. It was previously an event for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The event covers topics relating to genetics and the molecular biology of inheritance.

The related Division C event Designer Genes also includes all of the material covered under Heredity.

Single-Factor (Monohybrid) Crosses


The images to the right are examples of Punnett squares, named after the geneticist Reginald C. Punnett. Punnett squares show the cross between alleles and the genotype of the resulting offspring. Since both of the Punnet squares in the diagram only cross one trait (one pair of alleles), it is called a monohybrid or single-factor cross. Likewise, when two traits (two pairs of alleles) are crossed, it is called a dihybrid or two-factor cross. Dihybrid crosses are described in the next section of this page.

The Punnett square at left shows a cross between two heterozygous plants (that is, they each have one dominant allele and one recessive allele). The Punnett square at right shows a cross between a homozygous tall plant and a homozygous short plant (homozygous means that both alleles are the same). The letters inside the boxes represent the genotype of each offspring, with each individual letter representing a single allele. Note that the choice of letters is arbitrary and dictated mostly by convention - for simple dominant/recessive genes, the first letter of the dominant trait name is most common, as uppercase for the dominant trait and lowercase for the recessive trait. For example, in the first square, the genotypes of the offspring will be TT, Tt, and tt (2 of the 4 offspring will have the same genotype-Tt).

It is helpful to memorize the genotypic and phenotypic ratios of a heterozygous monohybrid cross. If two heterozygotes are crossed (like the left Punnett Square in the image to the right) then the genotypic ratio will always be:


 * 1 homozygous dominant : 2 heterozygous : 1 homozygous recessive

and the phenotypic ratio will be:


 * 3 dominant : 1 recessive

Note that genotypic and phenotypic ratios are often written without the particular allelic combinations or traits - for example, the above two ratios will most often be written as 1:2:1 and 3:1 respectively.

Memorizing other simple crosses (such as a single-factor homozygous dominant x homozygous recessive cross) is useful and saves time on tests. Here are some simple monohybrid crosses with their respective genotypic and phenotypic ratios.

The two remaining types of crosses, AA x AA and aa x aa, are not shown because the ratios are trivial - since only one allele is present between both parents, all offspring will be homozygous for that allele and display the associated trait.

Note that a genotype refers to a combination of alleles, while a phenotype refers to a trait displayed by an organism. Likewise, the genotypic ratio is a ratio of the various possible genotypes in a cross, while the phenotypic ratio is a ratio of the various possible phenotypes in a cross. These terms are important and often confused - pay attention to the exact terms being used on tests so that your answers match what is being asked for by the questions.

Two-Factor (Dihybrid) Crosses


Two factor (dihybrid) crosses, are similar to single-factor crosses except that in a two-factor cross, two traits are crossed rather than one trait in a single-factor cross.

An example of a two-factor cross is pictured to the right. Here, two heterozygotes are crossed (RrYy x RrYy). The "R" allele represents the shape of the seed and the "Y" allele represents the color. It is important to note the genotypic and phenotypic ratios for a heterozygous dihybrid cross. Regardless of the alleles, if two dihybrid heterozygotes are crossed, then the resulting phenotypic ratio will be:


 * 9 D/D: 3 D/R: 3 R/D: 1 R/R (D = Dominant trait, R = Recessive trait)

and the genotypic ratio will be:


 * 1 D/D: 2 D/H: 1 D/R: 4 H/H: 4 H/D: 1 R/D: 2 R/H: 1 R/R (D = Homozygous dominant, R = Homozygous recessive, H = Heterozygous)

So, the phenotypic ratio for the pictured dihybrid cross is:


 * 9 round/yellow:3 round/green: 3 wrinkled/yellow: 1 wrinkled/green

Note that a dihybrid cross can be broken down into two overlaid monohybrid crosses. Each group of four squares in the image (top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right) represent one of the possible results of a monohybrid cross Rr x Rr. Each of the squares within those four groups represents the possible results of a monohybrid cross Yy x Yy - this can occur once for each possible result of the Rr x Rr cross.

As with monohybrid crosses, dihybrid crosses can involve parents with various combinations of genotypes. While it may not be practical to memorize all of the different types of dihybrid crosses, it is useful to have them on your notesheet for reference, since they frequently come up on tests.



Higher-level crosses
Crosses and Punnett squares may be used with any number of genes. As of the 2019 rules, trihybrid crosses are a Nationals-only topic, rarely seen on tests, and higher crosses are not allowed on tests. Like single- and double-factor crosses, three-factor (trihybrid) crosses show three different traits that are crossed. The image at right shows a trihybrid cross between two parents that are heterozygous for all three traits (that is, a genotype of AaBbCc). Trihybrid crosses are rarely seen on tests, so don't spend too much time practicing them until the later stages of competition.

Special Forms of Inheritance
Strict dominant/recessive genes are useful for illustrating the basic concepts of Mendelian inheritance but are relatively rare in real life. Various other forms of allele interactions are also part of this event.

Incomplete dominance and Codominance
In some cases neither of the two alleles establishes dominance, and the heterozygous phenotype is different from either of the homozygous phenotypes. This can result in either incomplete dominance or codominance, depending on the specifics of the phenotypic expression.

In incomplete dominance, the heterozygous phenotype is an intermediate variety between the two homozygous phenotypes. For example, 4 o'clock flowers have a homozygous red phenotype and a homozygous white phenotype, while the heterozygous condition displays a pink color (see the image at left). Often, incomplete dominance is shown in the allele symbols with an "I" and the first letter of the particular phenotype in superscript.

Codominance is very similar to incomplete dominance, but the specifics of the phenotypic interaction are different. In codominance, the heterozygous phenotype displays both homozygous phenotypes in some way. For example, roan cows express both the red and white alleles in patches (see the image at right). Another example of a gene that includes codominance is ABO blood type, described in a later section.

Note that the convention of capital letters vs. "I" and superscript for codominance vs. incomplete dominance is loose - the use of a particular convention doesn't necessarily help distinguish the two on tests.

Sex-linked traits
Sex-linked traits are features that are associated with the genes on the sex chromosomes. Most sex-linked genes, such as the recessive alleles for red-green color blindness and hemophilia, are carried on the X chromosome; however, there are a few Y-linked genes (e.g. some forms of baldness).

The most notable feature of X-linked recessive traits is the fact that they tend to occur more often in males since only a single X chromosome with the allele is needed for the trait to be displayed (as males have one X and one Y chromosome). In contrast, females must have the allele on both X chromosomes to display the trait. The Punnett square at left is an example of hemophilia, a common example of an X-linked recessive trait. X-linked traits may be dominant as well, though that is much less common. It is also worth noting that due to X chromosome inactivation in females, the dominant/recessive model is not as accurate for X-linked traits.

Y-linked traits are less common than X-linked traits due to the smaller size of the Y chromosome. They also follow a much simpler inheritance pattern since they can only pass through the male line. If a father has the trait, all of his sons will also have the trait, and vice-versa (since they can only receive the one affected Y chromosome).

Multiple genes
Most phenotypic features are controlled by more than one set of non-allelic genes acting on them, such as height, skin color, intelligence, and hair and eye color. Usually this type of problem is seen as a typical two or three, etc factor cross with the more dominants, the more expression of the trait in question.

Multiple alleles
There may be more than the usual two alleles for any given gene. A particular individual may have two of those alleles in some combination. Especially, this appears in fur or pelt conditions of domestic animals. The types of interactions between these alleles may vary - for example, the most common example (the ABO blood type system) includes 3 alleles - the IA and B alleles, which are codominant with each other (despite the frequent use of "I" and superscript, this is not an example of incomplete dominance), and the i allele (representing blood type O) which is recessive to IA and IB.

Lethal alleles
While lethal alleles do not affect the way you set up your Punnett square, they can appear to alter Mendelian ratios. A lethal genotype is one that causes death before the individual can reproduce and pass their genes on to the next generation. As such, they remove an expected progeny class after a specific cross. For example, in Mexican hairless dogs, the genotype hh means that the dog is hairy, Hh means that the dog is hairless, but HH means that they die as embryos - thus the term "lethal".

Epistasis
Epistasis is where one set of genes stops or inhibits the action of other genes. The most common example of epistasis is albinism. Consider a simple dominant/recessive gene for eye coloration, where B = brown and b = blue (simplified for illustrative purposes). Say there is another simple dominant/recessive gene where P = normal pigmentation and p = not pigmented (i.e. albino). If the albinism gene is homozygous dominant or heterozygous in an individual they will have normal pigmentation and their eye color will be according to their eye color genotype. If, however, they are homozygous recessive for albinism they will have reddish eyes (which is the typical phenotype for albino eyes), regardless of whether their eye color genotype is BB, Bb, or bb - the epistatic albinism gene overrides the eye color gene. Epistasis genes do not necessarily have to be recessive - for example, some flowers have epistatic genes where the dominant allele suppresses the production of certain pigments.

Pedigrees
A pedigree is a graphical depiction of the inheritance pattern of a single trait through a family tree. The image at right shows an example of a pedigree, with some common symbols in the key. The conventions of squares for males and circles for females, as well as that of shading to show individuals with the trait in question, are among the few that are common to all pedigrees - there is a lot of variation. For example, some pedigrees indicate carriers of a trait with partially shaded squares/circles, while others do not.

Often, questions involving pedigrees may ask competitors to determine the genotypes of several individuals or identify the inheritance pattern of the trait in question. For example, consider the pedigree at right. Based on the fact that neither individual in the first generation has the trait but some of their direct offspring do, we know that carriers are not marked in this pedigree (and we also know that the trait cannot be dominant). The fact that all six affected individuals are male strongly implies that the trait is sex-linked. Y-linkage can be ruled out because some affected sons have unaffected fathers, and vice-versa. Therefore, the most likely inheritance pattern for this trait is X-linked recessive. Note that we have not ruled out an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern since there is not enough information in this pedigree to do so.

DNA
DNA is made up of three components: a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and heterocyclic rings of carbon and nitrogen (purines have two such rings; pyrimidines, one). The bases found in DNA are adenine and guanine (purines), thymine and cytosine (pyrimidines). The sugar and phosphate groups form the backbone or the sides of the double helix "ladder" and the nitrogenous bases stick out from the chain like "rungs" of the ladder.

Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins are credited with finding the structure of DNA. Rosalind Franklin, however, was the first to use X-ray diffraction to see the DNA helix. Watson and Crick used her work to discover the helical structure in 1953. See The Double Helix by James D. Watson for more information.



DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell in a form known as chromatin. This chromatin consists of loose DNA, proteins called histones, and RNA. Chromatin has a variety of functions including:
 * Packaging loose DNA into a more dense shape
 * Reinforcing DNA so mitosis can occur
 * Preventing DNA damage that could result in mutation or cell death
 * Controlling gene expression and replication

There are two varieties of chromatin known as euchromatin and heterochromatin. Euchromatin is the most actively transcribed form of DNA, and 92% of the human genome is euchromatic. Heterochromatin is more tightly packed, and typically is responsible for structural functions such as the centromeres and telomeres on a chromosome.

Chromatin condenses into chromosomes at the beginning of mitosis. During mitosis, the chromosome has a copy of itself attached to it at the centromere known as a chromatid. This copy was created during DNA replication. These chromatids are later separated and becomes their own individual chromosomes. During mitosis all chromatids are sister chromatids, meaning that they are identical. Non sister chromatids appear in meiosis when a paternal and maternal chromosome are paired together.

Base Pairing
Adenine only bonds with thymine and guanine bonds only with cytosine. This is called base pairing. According to Chargaff's rules, an organism should have equal percentages of adenine and thymine and cytosine and guanine. One way to remember which base pairs with which is to remember the "curvy" letters go together. If Chargaff's rules do not hold, the organism's DNA may be single-stranded rather than double-stranded.

In RNA, uracil replaces thymine and thus, uracil binds with adenine.

DNA Replication
When a cell divides, it makes a duplicate of its DNA in the S-phase of the cell cycle so the daughter cells will have a complete set of chromosomes (see below, Mitosis). This process is DNA replication, also called DNA synthesis. First, topisomerase unwinds the DNA strands, after which the enzyme helicase separates the strands by breaking the hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous bases. This area of separation is called a replication fork.

Before DNA Polymerase can enter the replication fork to make copies of the DNA strands, RNA Primase puts down a "primer" to attract RNA nucleotides, which form hydrogen bonds with DNA bases. The next step is elongation, which creates some difficulties because of how enzymes "read." DNA Polymerase can only copy from 5' to 3'; however, one DNA strand is 3' to 5'. This strand is called the lagging strand, as opposed to the 5'-3' leading strand. While DNA Polymerase can copy the leading strand without a problem, it can only replicate the lagging strand in spurts. The replicated portions of the lagging strand are called Okazaki fragments.

Once replication is complete, an exonuclease (an enzyme that cleaves nitrogenous bonds) removes the RNA primer. Finally, ligase connects the strands with their complements by catalyzing the phosphodiester bonds with the 3' hydroxyl group and the 5' phosphate.

RNA
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a single stranded nucleotide chain, not a double helix. While it does not share the same structure as DNA, it has many similar properties. RNA consists of a ribose sugar and hydroxyl group, as opposed to deoxyribose. RNA also consists of Adenine, Guanine and Cytosine, but Thymine is replaced with Uracil.

Types
There are three major types of RNA. While there are many other minor types, these three are heavily involved in translation.
 * Messenger RNA (mRNA): Encodes the sequence of amino acids that becomes a protein.
 * Transfer RNA (tRNA): Transports amino acids to ribosomes during translation. It contains about 80 RNA nucleotides, with an amino acid attached to the 3' end and an a complimentary anticodon attached to the 5' end.
 * Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Along with ribosomal proteins, rRNA makes up the ribosome which is the organelle that translates mRNA into proteins.

Transcription
Transcription is the process of transcribing DNA into mRNA so that it can be translated into proteins. It is also the first major step of gene expression. Transcription produces a complimentary sequence to the DNA; A bonds with T in DNA, U bonds with A, G bonds with C and C bonds with G. For example:

DNA: GCACGTGTAGCATAGTACTAG mRNA: CGUGCACAUCGUAUCAUGAUC

Transcription occurs in the nucleus during the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle. In eukaryotes, it occurs in three distinct stages.

Initiation

 * 1) Activator proteins bind to distal control elements that are located before the DNA sequence known as a promoter. Promoters are located near the start sites of genes, and allow various proteins and enzymes (such as RNA polymerase II) to form an initiation complex that begins transcription.
 * 2) Proteins called transcription factors bind to a specific DNA sequence known as a promoter. At this point in the process, the DNA is still double stranded. RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region shortly after the transcription factors.
 * 3) RNA polymerase unwinds approximately 14 base pairs to form an "open complex" that becomes the transcription bubble. As the RNA polymerase begins creating RNA, it enters the RNA exit channel and leaves behind the initial transcription factors.

Elongation

 * 1) RNA polymerase begins unwinding the double helix and exposes 10-20 nucleotides for transcription at a time. To do this, RNA polymerase uses free-floating RNA nucleotides in the nucleoplasm.
 * 2) RNA polymerase travels from the 3' → 5' direction on the template strand of DNA, producing a mRNA strand in the 5' → 3' direction. This process produces an RNA copy of the 5' → 3' strand of DNA.
 * 3) RNA transcription occurs very quickly, and can involve multiple RNA polymerase working on a single gene. The typical rate of elongation is 10-100 nucleotides/sec.
 * 4) Elongation also involves a proofreading mechanism that can replace incorrect nucleotides. Transcription pauses, allowing RNA editing factors to bind to the new strand of mRNA and edit base order.

Termination

 * 1) The RNA codes for the polyadenylantion (AAUAAA), and the proteins that have been associated with the RNA polymerase stop moving.
 * 2) RNA polymerase continues moving, adding hundreds of adenine nucleotides to the end of the mRNA strand. Spare RNA created like this may be used by enzymes.
 * 3) This termination factor releases the newly created mRNA, which leaves the nucleus and travels to the ribosome where it is translated into a protein.

Interpreting Genetic Code
A sequence of three mRNA nucleotides is called a codon. Each of these codons corresponds with a complimentary anticodon attached to a strand of tRNA. Different tRNA molecules are attached to different amino acids, meaning that each codon corresponds with one amino acid. Since there are only four different RNA nucleotides, there are 64 possible codons. However, there are only 20 standard amino acids. This means that multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

A chain of amino acids is called a protein. They are responsible for most biological functions in the body such as DNA replication, transcription, transporting molecules, and regulation of gene expression. Proteins are very complex macromolecules and have four different levels of structure. The amino acid sequence created in translation is known as the primary structure.

It is possible to interpret a DNA sequence into an amino acid sequence by using a chart like the one shown below.
 * Find the RNA nucleotides that would pair with the DNA nucleotides.
 * DNA: TAC AGG TAG CTA GTT ATT
 * RNA: AUG UCC AUC GAU CAA UAA
 * Follow the sequence of nucleotides on the chart from the inside out. For example, the RNA sequence AUG is found at the beginning of every protein and codes for methionine (although this does not mean that every protein begins with methionine - in many cases, the protein is processed after initial production and the methionine may be removed). In the center of the circle, start with the A quadrant, then follow the U quadrant and then the G quadrant.
 * RNA: AUG UCC AUC GAU CAA UAA
 * Amino Acids: Methionine Serine Isoleucine Aspartic Acid Glutamine Stop

Translation
Translation is the process of translating the mRNA created during transcription into a protein. These proteins are responsible for different genetic traits such as hair/eye color, blood type, or hereditary conditions such as color blindness. It takes place in the ribosome, an organelle with three chambers and two subunits that consists of rRNA and other proteins. The three chambers are the A site (Aminoacyl-tRNA binding site), the P site (Peptidyl-tRNA binding site) and the E site (Exit site). All of these chambers are located in the large subunit. Like transcription, it occurs in three steps.

Initiation

 * 1) The small subunit attaches to the mRNA, holding it in place throughout translation.
 * 2) The Methionine tRNA bonds to the start codon AUG.
 * 3) The large subunit arrives and completes the translation initiation complex.

Elongation

 * 1) Amino acids are brought to the ribosome by tRNA molecules and are added to the polypeptide chain one by one.
 * 2) The anticodon on a tRNA molecule binds to the mRNA codon at the A site.
 * 3) An rRNA molecule in the large subunit catalyzes the formation of a peptide bond between the amino acid on the tRNA and the polypeptide chain.
 * 4) The ribosome moves the mRNA to from the P site to the E site, where the tRNA is released.

Termination

 * 1) The stop codon on the mRNA reaches the A site.
 * 2) Release factors bind to the stop codon at the A site.
 * 3) A water molecule is added to the end of the polypeptide instead of an amino acid, and hydrolysis releases the chain so it can be folded into its final structure.

Mitosis & Cell Cycle
Mitosis is the process of cell division in somatic cells (that is, all cells other than the germ cells, which produce eggs and sperm). In mitosis, a single diploid cell divides to produce two diploid cells (the daughter cells). It is a part of the cell cycle, which describes the general life cycle of a cell.

Specifically, mitosis refers to the separation of replicated DNA (and as a result the creation of two nuclei), while cytokinesis is the actual division of the cell. Mitosis can be divided into four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Interphase
Interphase is the part of the cell cycle that does not constitute mitosis - it is the phase in between two cell divisions, when the cell is growing. Most cells spend about 90% of their time in interphase. It consists of three separate stages:


 * G1 - Gap 1. This is the primary growth phase of a cell, and typically the longest phase. The cell grows and absorbs nutrients during this time.
 * S - Synthesis. Since the daughter cells must each have a full set of chromosomes (i.e. diploid), the DNA in the parent cell must replicate, which it does during this relatively short phase.
 * G2 - Gap 2. A second, typically shorter gap phase in which the cell grows and prepares for mitosis. During this phase, organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts divide.

After interphase ends, the cell proceeds to mitosis.

Prophase
Prophase can be divided into two separate parts - early prophase, and late prophase (prometaphase). Some argue that prometaphase is its own distinct step, while other people consider them both part of prophase.

At the beginning of early prophase, chromatin condenses to form chromosomes which protects the DNA. The mitotic spindle also begin to form. It is a skeleton consisting of strong microtubules which organizes chromosomes and moves them during mitosis. The nucleolus also disappears, which is a sign that the cell is about to undergo mitosis.

In prometaphase, the mitotic spindle begin to organize the chromosomes. They have finished condensing and are very compact. The microtubules in the spindle bind to the chromosomes at the kinetochore, which is a patch of protein found on the centromere of each sister chromatid. The centromere is the section of DNA where the sister chromatids are the most tightly attached. Not all microtubules bind to chromosomes, and some just help stabilize the spindle.

Metaphase
In metaphase, all of the chromosomes have been arranged by the spindle. They are lined up at the middle of the cell along an invisible plane called the metaphase plate. The two kinetochores on each chromosome are attached to microtubules. Before anaphase, the cell ensures that every chromosome is properly aligned and attached to the microtubules. This is called the spindle checkpoint, and ensures that sister chromatids split properly during anaphase. If something is wrong, the cell pauses its division until the problem is fixed.

Anaphase
During anaphase, the sister chromatids are separated and pulled towards opposite ends of the cell. The proteins holding them together are broken down, and each is now its own chromosome. Microtubules that aren't attached to chromosomes push apart, elongating the cell and separating the poles. All of these processes are carried out by motor proteins.

Telophase
Once the cell reaches telophase, it is nearly finished dividing. The mitotic spindle is broken back down, and two new nuclear envelopes begin to form (one for each set of chromosomes). The nucleoli reappear in each cell, and the chromosomes begin to decondense into chromatin.

Cytokinesis
Cytokinesis overlaps with the final stages of mitosis, and can begin in either anaphase or telophase. It is different in animal and plant cells, since animal cells do not have a cell wall. In animal cells, the cell is drawn shut across a cleavage furrow and the two cells split. In plant cells, a cell plate forms down the middle and divides the two daughter cells with a new wall.

Meiosis
Meiosis is the process of cell division that is unique to germ cells. It produces haploid eggs and sperm from diploid progenitors. It occurs in two stages, Meiosis I and Meiosis II, each of which goes through the four main stages of mitosis, although in a different way that allows for genetically variable daughter cells.

Meiosis I
During prophase I, the chromosomes condense as the nuclear envelope breaks down. By this point all of the cell's genetic material has replicated, so each chromosome is an X-shape consisting of two identical chromatids. Also during this phase, homologous pairs of chromosomes line up and undergo crossing over - homologous sections of the chromosomes swap. This process increases the genetic diversity of the haploid cells that are produced at the end of meiosis. As with mitosis, the centrosomes and spindle fiber structures form during prophase I.

Unlike mitosis, where the chromatids are separated, in meiosis I each chromosome is separated from its homologous chromosome. In metaphase I each chromosome will "join" with its homologous chromosome (forming a tetrad) and align across the centerline of the cell. Each chromosome is separated from its homologue during anaphase I, and during telophase I and cytokinesis the cell divides completely, forming two diploid daughter cells with differing DNA.

Some cells go into a rest stage, sometimes known as interphase II, after meiosis I is complete. Often, the nuclear envelope reforms and chromosomes uncondense prior to meiosis II.

Meiosis II
Meiosis II is more similar to mitosis, except that the parent cells are diploid instead of tetraploidal (which is how the mitosis parent is after replication during interphase). Each cell divides the same way as in mitosis, with the chromosomes splitting at their centromeres. Note that because crossing over during prophase I occurs independently on each chromatid, the four daughter cells produced as a result of meiosis II are typically all genetically different.

Post-Meiosis
In spermatogenesis, typically all of the daughter cells can become viable sperm. In contrast, during oogenesis only one of the four daughter cells will become a viable egg cell. The egg cell will receive most of the cytoplasm and organelles, while the remaining three daughter cells become shrunken polar bodies. Most of the organelles brought by the sperm cell are destroyed after fertilization. Incidentally, this is what allows matrilineal heredity to be traced via mitochondrial DNA.

Genetic Disorders
Genetic disorders are inherited medical conditions caused by abnormalities in the DNA. There are a variety of types of genetic disorders, and some are rarer than others. They are typically caused by mutations in specific genes, deletion of genes, or a person having an additional chromosome. While these genes can be known as disease-causing genes, the abnormality of a gene is the cause of the disorder.

One of the most common genetic disorders is known as trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome. An individual with this disorder has a third copy of chromosome 21. Cystic fibrosis is also a genetic disorder, caused by mutation in a protein known as CFTR. Even color blindness is a genetic disorder, caused by a mutation on the X chromosome.

Polysomy and Monosomy
Polysomy is when an individual having more than two copies of a particular chromosome. Most often this is a trisomy, such as trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) - affected individuals have three copies of chromosome 21. Monosomy is when an individual has one copy of a chromosome rather than the normal two copies. The only known monosomy in which individuals survive to birth is Turner's Syndrome, a monosomy of the sex chromosomes in which affected individuals are females that have a single X chromosome.

Addition, Deletion, Translocation
Addition, deletion and translocation are all different forms of mutations. Addition (also known as insertion or an insertion mutation) is the addition of nucleotides into a DNA sequence. Additions can range in size from one base pair to entire sections of chromosomes being added in the wrong place. Deletion is a similar concept, but with the removal of nucleotides. In deletion, a part of a chromosome or DNA sequence is lost during replication. Any number of nucleotides can be deleted, though small deletions are typically less dangerous. Large deletions can be fatal, and some can result in various genetic disorders such as Williams syndrome.

Translocation is when the parts of a chromosome are rearranged, occasionally resulting in a genetic disorder. Translocation can be balanced or unbalanced, with unbalanced translocation resulting in missing or extra genes. There are multiple forms of translocation, but the most common is reciprocal translocation. This occurs when two parts of two chromosomes swap places, resulting in genes changing locations and occasionally gene fusion. Balanced translocation occurring during meiosis typically doesn't result in any visible symptoms, though in about 6% of cases it can result in autism or congenital abnormalities. However, translocation occurring in somatic cells during mitosis can result in various forms of cancer. Translocation can also result in infertility, or in specific cases a form of Down syndrome.

Karyotypes
A karyotype is a chart that shows each chromosome. Each karyotype displays 23 pairs of chromosomes, including the X/Y chromosomes. Every pair is assigned a number (except for the sex chromosomes; they are always referred to as the X and Y chromosomes). Some genetic disorders can be detected by analyzing the number of chromosomes and/or the sex chromosomes. The gender of the individual can also be deduced from looking at the sex chromosomes. If there is an X and a Y, the individual is a male. A female has two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome.

A karyotype is created by stopping cells in cell division and staining the chromosomes, then observing them under a light microscope.

Karyotypes can be used to diagnose genetic diseases - most often polysomy or monosomy, but also some types of deletion and addition in certain chromosomes. For example, a karyotype can reveal a third chromosome 21, resulting in Down syndrome. It can also reveal Turner syndrome (45, X), a disorder that results in females with one X chromosome, and Klinefelter's syndrome (47, XXY), in which a man has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome.

Sex determination
In humans, the male and female share 22 of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in each body cell. The 23rd pair is known as the sex chromosomes because it determines the sex of the individual. In the male, the sex chromosome consists of an X and a Y chromosome(XY) while the pair in females consists of two X chromosomes(XX). The male is the one who determines the sex of the child and the female gives an X to all eggs while the male randomly produces about 50% X sperm and 50% Y sperm.

In rare cases, through nondisjunction, a person will have three sex chromosomes. If they have three X (XXX) chromosomes, they are female. If they have even one Y chromosome (XXY), they are male. Although they will show more feminine qualities, any person who has a Y chromosome is considered a male. Other types of sex chromosome polysomy, as well as one monosomy (X), have been known to occur, though more rarely.

Common Genetic Disorders
Several genetic disorders appear frequently on tests as examples. While this event typically does not deal with the specifics of each disorder, it may be useful to know the inheritance patterns of some common disorders:
 * Cystic Fibrosis - Autosomal recessive
 * Down Syndrome - Trisomy of chromosome 21
 * Hemophilia - Sex-linked (X-chromosome) recessive
 * Polydactyly - Autosomal dominant
 * Red-green color blindness - Sex-linked (X chromosome) recessive
 * Sickle-cell anemia - Autosomal recessive

Resources
Molecular Biology of the Cell notes