2.2.4-2.2.6

Endocrine Glands

Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas; responsible for hormone production.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that regulate various body functions.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's chromosomes, used to evaluate chromosome number and structure.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in haploid cells.

Diploid Cell (2n)

A cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid Cell (n)

A cell that contains only one complete set of chromosomes.

Independent Assortment

The process during meiosis where chromosomes are randomly distributed to daughter cells.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Nondisjunction

An error in meiosis where chromosomes fail to separate properly, leading to abnormal chromosome numbers.

Monosomy

A condition in which one chromosome is missing from a pair.

Trisomy

A condition in which an extra chromosome is present in a pair, resulting in three copies instead of two.

Chromosomal Mutations

Alterations to chromosome structure, including deletion, insertion, inversion, duplication, and translocation.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)

A genetic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic test

Genetic tests that can be purchased by consumers without involving a healthcare provider.

Predisposition

An increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on genetic factors.

Genealogy

The study of family lineage and history, often used in genetic testing.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A laboratory technique used to amplify DNA, making millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence.

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)

A technique used to compare DNA samples by cutting DNA into fragments and assessing their sizes.

Statins

Medications used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

Liver Membrane Cholesterol Receptor Protein

A protein that helps control cholesterol levels in the body by allowing liver cells to take up cholesterol.