Question

1. You study dragons and are concerned when several individuals become ill later in life. Some of these dragons are in the same family and you think there might be a genetic component to their illness and do some investigating. You think that the illness could be caused by errors in one of the following: eukaryotic transcriptional regulation, DNA repair, or from an inherited mutation in the gene coding region. Detail out each type of mutation and how that type of mutation could create an illness. Provide an example of how each mutation (for a total of 3) could result in this type of illness. Be sure to explain specifically how each process could cause illness. For example: when describing the processes you should be specific (so don’t speak generally about DNA repair, rather discuss a particular type of repair error). Be thorough in your descriptions and be sure to relate back to the phenotype (getting sick in middle age).   

Answer 1

1. single gene disorders:where a mutation effects one gene:eg:sickle cell anaemia:In it RBCcontort into a sickle shape.The cells die early,leaving a shortage of healthy RBC(sickle cell anaemia)and can block blood flow causing pain.

2. chromosomal disorders :where chromosomes (or parts of chromosomes)are missing or changed .eg:down syndrome:It is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21.

3.complex disorders:where there are mutations in two or more genes.eg:colon cancer:when the DNA cells in the colon or rectum develop mutations that may make them unable to controlgrowth and division.certain risk factors related to the disease are including diet,tobacco smoking,and heavy alcohol use.