Biological Concepts of Disease and Genetics

These flashcards cover key biological concepts related to disease, genetics, and inheritance patterns.

Disease

A disorder of structure or function in an organism that produces specific signs or symptoms.

Infectious Disease

A disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms that can be spread from one person to another.

Familial

A trait that is transmitted in the gametes through generations.

Chromosome Anomaly

A condition involving the wrong number of chromosomes.

Genetic Disease or Defect

A condition with the correct number of chromosomes but with defective genes that do not produce the correct proteins.

Syndrome

A group of symptoms that together indicate a particular disease.

Hereditary

Traits or conditions that are derived from parents.

Congenital Birth Defect

A condition present at birth but not genetically determined.

Multiple Alleles

Three or more forms of a gene that can code for a single trait.

Polygenic Traits

Traits controlled by two or more genes, showing a complete bell curve for phenotypes.

Karyotype

An organized profile of a person's chromosomes, usually arranged by size.

Carrier (Heterozygote)

An individual who has one recessive allele for a trait and one dominant allele.

Sex-Linked Traits

Genetic traits found on the sex chromosomes that exhibit different inheritance patterns in males and females.

Autosomal

Pertaining to chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes.

Chromosomal Disorders

Genetic disorders caused by changes in the structure or number of chromosomes.

X-linked Recessive Traits

Traits that are more commonly expressed in males due to their hemizygous condition for genes on the X chromosome.

Hemizygous

Having only a single copy of a gene instead of the customary two copies.

Turner's Syndrome

A condition in females characterized by having only one X chromosome.

Jacob's Syndrome

A condition in males involving an extra Y chromosome, leading to variable physical traits.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder causing thick mucus production that can damage organs.

Sickle-Cell Disease

A genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin, leading to sickle-shaped red blood cells.

Huntington's Disease

A genetic disorder resulting from an abnormal dominant allele, leading to neurodegeneration.

Heterozygote Advantage

When being a heterozygote for a trait provides a selective benefit against another disease.

Achondroplasia

A genetic disorder causing dwarfism due to a mutation affecting bone growth.

Wild Type Allele

The allele that is most common in a natural population.

Mutant Allele

Any form of an allele other than the wild type.