Genetic and developmental disorders Flashcards
Primary germ layers
Fetal organs and tissues including muscle, bone, nervous tissue, develop from primary germ layers
Normal embryonic development
Fertilization between egg and sperm yields zygote
Zygote cells divide to form morula
Morula transforms into blastocyst
Inner cell mass gives rise to primordial germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm
critical stage of organogenesis
Characterized by extensive cell division, migration and cell-to cell interaction
Developing organs very sensitive to external influences
Include most importantly chemical, physical and viral agents
Teratology
Disturbance in development
Teratogen
Causes fetal abnormalities. 75% cases idiopathic, 20 % genetic
Exogenous teratogens - physical
X-rays
Radiation- gamma, beta, alpha rays
Exogenous teratogens - chemical
Many man made and many exists in nature
most important - alcohol
Exogenous teratogens - Alcohol
Can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Causes intrauterine growth retardation
Affects development of brain
Typical facial features include small cranium and jaw, thin upper lip
Reduced mental processes, low IQ
Exogenous Teratogens - Microbial teratogens
Can affect fetus directly or indirectly
Indirectly effects from weakening or exhausting of mother causes decrease in fetal weight, growth retardation, premature birth
Human pathogens that are especially noxious to fetus include Torch
Exogenous Teratogens - TORCH
Toxoplasma, Others (Epstein-Barr Virus, Varicella virus, etc), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes Simples
Several internal organs can be affected including the brain
All symptoms related to transplacental passage of infectious agent during organogenesis
TORCH - R
Rubella: Brain is small (Microcephaly) and often structurally abnormal: heart defects, inflammation of liver, lungs, enlarged spleen and lymph nodes, eye anormalies
TORCH - T and C
Toxoplasmosis and Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Characteristic abnormalities in brain, small eyes with inflammation, cataracts and calcifications
TORCH - H
Herpes virus - skin lesions
Endogenous teratogens - G
Genetic factors
Often fetus is not viable resulting in spontaneous abortions (miscarriage)
Other examples include cleft lip, dwarfism, etc
Chromosomal normalities
Human genes encoded by triples of nucleotides. Double-helix DNA condense into chromosomes during meiosis. Normal human cells contain 23 chromosome pairs - 22 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes (XY male, XX females)
Chromosomal abormalities
Structural or Numerical ->trisomy (+1) or monosomy (-1) and autosomes or Sex chromosomes (XX, XY)
Trisomy 21
Down’s Syndrome
translocation or three autosome 21
Diagnosed in 1/800 babies, mostly maternal origin as causing infertility in males
Down’s syndrome S&S
Mental retardation
Typical facial features - wide face, low-bridged nose, close set slanted eyes, large protruding tongue
Abnormal extremities - short arms and legs, wide hands, “simian crease”, short and crooked fifth finger
Defects of internal organs - heart defects, infertility in males
Hematologic abnormalities - anemia, leukemia, immune deficiencies
Increased mortality
No cure
Down’s syndrome Diagnosis
Chorionic villus biopsy
Amniocentesis
Abnormalities of sex chromosomes
More common than autosomes
Less lethal, less miscarriage
Turner’s syndrome
Monosomy X (45, X)
Affects 1/3000 newborns
Short stature, webbing of neck, abnormal extremities, broad chest, congenital heart disease
Normal female genital organs except for ovaries which do not develop normally hypoplastic uterus, amenorrhea,
Never experience puberty
Do not develop secondary sex characteristics,
Infertile
Sex hormone therapy always female
Klinefelter’s Syndrome
47, XXY
Infertile males
Testis are atrophic and unable to produce sperm
Secondary sex characteristics do not develop at puberty
Penis is small and pubic hair is scant
Tall, effeminate, gynecomastia
Autosomal dominant diseases affect Connective Tissue
Marfan’s syndrome
Autosomal dominant disease affects bones
Achondroplastic dwarfism, Osteogenesis imperfecta