Cytogenetics Flashcards
Homologous chromosomes/homologues
Members of a pair of chromosomes that carry the same genes in the same sequence; one inherited from mom and one from dad
Alleles
Slightly different forms of the same gene
Chromatin
Genomic DNA complexed with proteins
Sister chromatids
Created in the S phase of the cell cycle when chromosomes replicate; each contains an identical copy of the original DNA strand
Telomeres
Specialized repetitive DNA sequences that ensure the integrity of the chromosome during cell division
Centromere
A region of DNA that hold two sister chromatids together
Daughter chromosomes
Separated sister chromatids
Recombination: when does it happen and what happens?
Occurs in meiosis I when homologous segments of DNA are exchanged between non-sister chromatids of a pair of homologous chromosomes
Meiosis I separates…
homologous chromosomes
Meiosis II separates…
Sister chromatids
Nondisjunction
When a pair of homologous chromosomes fails to separate during anaphase of meiosis I
The most common chromosomal mechanism of aneuploidy
Percentage of parents with karyotype alterations that impact fertility
1%
Acrocentric chromosomes (#s)
13, 14, 15, 21, 22
Live birth incidence of Down syndrome
1 in 691
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) features
Brushfield spots, hypotonia, flat occiput, epicanthic folds, upslanted palpebral fissures, small low set ears, low nasal bridge, maxillary hypoplasia, narrow palate, broad neck (often webbed), CHD (50%, AVSD most common), umbilical hernia, clinodactyly of fifth finger, single palmar crease, sandal toe gap, cryptorchisism (occasional), DD, duodenal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula, increased risk of leukemia
Pallister Killian syndrome features
Hypotonia, ID, sparse hair, coarse facies, hypopigmented areas of the skin, depressed nasal bridge, down turned mouth, thin upper lip, microcephaly, ptosis
Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) features
FTT, prominent occiput, HYPERtonia, micrognathia, rocker bottom feet, clenched fists, CHDs (99%), low set ears, hypoplastic nails, renal anomalies
Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) features
scalp defects, CL/P, CHD (88%, often VSD and PDA), holoprosencephaly, iris coloboma/eye abnormalities, micrognathia, polydactyly, polycystic kidneys, clenched fists, rocker bottom feet
Turner syndrome features
Horseshoe kidney, webbed neck, coarctation of the aorta, widely spaced nipples, short stature, rarely fertile, IQ is typically in normal range
Kleinfelter syndrome (XXY) features and incidence
Tall stature, gynecomastia, infertile, obesity common, IQ typically normal or slightly below
1/500 incidence
47, XXX features
Speech delay, slightly lower IQ than siblings, increased risk of infertility, chromosomally normal offspring
47, XYY features
slightly lower IQ than siblings, ?impulsivity, chromosomally normal offspring
% of live births with cytogenetic disorders
% of stillbirths with cytogenetic disorders
% of 1st trimester SABs with cytogenetic disorders
~0.7%
~10%
50%
Clinical indications for chromosome analysis
Problems with early growth/dev. Stillbirth and neonatal death Fertility problems Fam hx of chromosome abnormality Neoplasia (analysis of the tumor itself) AMA pregnancy
Monosomy prognosis
More deleterious than trisomies - generally not viable except for Turner
Pericentric inversions: definition and possible gametes
Include the centromere
Gametes formed may be normal, balanced, or unbalanced
Paracentric inversion: definition and possible gametes
Does not involve the centromere
Gametes formed may be normal, balanced, or inviable