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Section 5b – inherited diseases

Section 5b – inherited diseases. National 4/5 – Multicellular Organisms. What are inherited diseases?. Diseases caused by faulty genetic material that are passed on to future generations. They are sometimes called genetic disorders. Many inherited diseases are caused by mutations in DNA .

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Section 5b – inherited diseases

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  1. Section 5b – inherited diseases National 4/5 – Multicellular Organisms

  2. What are inherited diseases? Diseases caused by faulty genetic material that are passed on to future generations. They are sometimes called genetic disorders. Many inherited diseases are caused by mutations in DNA - resulting in faulty alleles that are not properly expressed. Mutations can be spontaneous or caused by mutagens e.g. radiation and certain chemicals. There are over 4,000 known inherited diseases - BUT the alleles involved are only known for 25% of them.

  3. Learning Outcomes • By the end of this section I will be able to: • - identify the different types of genetic disorders • - give named examples for each type • - explain how people can be classed as carriers for some inherited diseases

  4. What types of inherited disease exist? • Single-gene diseasesThese are caused by mutations in single genes. E.g. Huntington’s disease, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anaemia • Multifactorial diseasesThese are caused by mutations in several genes combined with environmental factors. E.g. heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer. • Chromosomal diseasesThese are caused by an abnormal number or structure of chromosomes. E.g. Down’s syndrome and Klinefelter’s syndrome.

  5. What are carriers? Like ‘normal’ alleles, faulty alleles can be dominant or recessive. Some people can have a copy of a faulty allele for an inherited disease, but not have the disease themselves. These people are called carriers. Carriers can potentially pass the disease on to their children.

  6. Treating inherited diseases Many inherited diseases are serious and even fatal, but some allow people to lead relatively normal lives with appropriate treatment. However, most inherited diseases cannot yet be cured. Curing an inherited disease involves replacing faulty genes with normal genes. This is called gene therapy, but it is a very complex and relatively new technique, and has yet to be widely successful.

  7. Inherited diseases: true or false?

  8. Your task • You will now research a chosen inherited disease. • You will be required to include the following: • - explain the symptoms caused by this condition • - explain how this condition is inherited • - describe ways in which this condition is currently treated

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