Chromosomes: Their Structure, Function, and Medical Importance

Chromosome Structure - US Natl Library of Medicine Chromosomes are threadlike strands of DNA with associated proteins found in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells. The collections of chromosomes in plants, animals, and humans carry two complete sets of identification information. The duplicate set allows for cell division and reproduction. Genes on chromosomes can be defective in a number of ways and are closely related to a number of genetically induced disorders, including Down Syndrome, Tay-Sachs Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Klinefelter Syndrome, and Sickle Cell Anemia. Learn more about the many ways chromosomes impact our lives, and the scientists who study them, in articles provided by informed Bright Hub contributors.

Fun Genetics Quiz : How Much Do You Know? Since Crick and Watson's discovery the world has gone DNA crazy. Have you kept up with developments, with the science of the times? Or do you know more about your jeans than...	Cyril Dean Darlington - The Man Who Invented the Chromosome Cyril Darlington was a British scientist who carried out research on the working of chromosomes. Apart from his work as a cytogeneticist, he was the Sherardian Professor of Botany at...
Human Genetic Mutations: Just How Many Mutations Are There? It was JBS Haldane, one of the founders of modern genetics who speculated in 1935 that we would each have 150 new genetic mutations in our DNA. It turns out that he was in the right...	The Genetic Legacy of Genghis Khan Genghis Khan was an empire builder and, it turns out, something of a family man as well. His genetic descendants are alive and well and spread out through China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan...

Karyotype of Patau Syndrome, a.k.a. Trisomy 13

Stillbirth (auto-abortion) is the fate of most fetuses conceived with a major chromosomal abnormality, and the autosomal trisomies are no exception. Here we examine the karyotype of Patau syndrome...

Classical Genetics: Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment

What is Mendel's law of independent assortment? Learn how this second law of inheritance expands on the first, and why it doesn't always apply....

Types of Human Genetic Disorders

Genetic disorders are diseases or conditions that are caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. Some are known at birth, whilst others make an appearance later in life....

Life Cycle of Plants: Alternation of Generations

The life cycle of plants includes alternation of generations, where two generations complete a life cycle. A haploid gametophyte form alternates with a diploid sporophyte form....

Hazel Eyes and Genetics

Very little is known about the genetics of hazel eyes. Whilst biology can explain blue, brown and green eyes, it's left to theoretical models to fill in the gaps for hazel eye color....

Genetics of Sex Determination

The human organism contains threadlike, gene-bearing chromosomes, twenty three pairs of them. These chromosomes contain the complete heredity, including characteristics such as the...

Causes of Chromosomes Mutation and the Disorders They Cause

There are several causes of chromosomes mutation. Each of these mutations can cause a variety of different diseases and conditions. Read on to learn what these mutations are and what...