ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. How will the offspring be affected if one of the gametes or one of the parents carry an
impaired number of haploid chromosomes?

If a gamete with two copies of the chromosome combines with a normal gamete during
fertilization, the result is trisomy; if a gamete with no copies of the chromosomes combines with
a normal gamete during fertilization, the result is monosomy. Monosomy for autosomes is
usually lethal in humans and other animals. If sister chromatids fail to separate during meiosis II,
the result is one gamete that lacks that chromosome, two normal gametes with one copy of the
chromosome, and one gamete with two copies of the chromosome, if a gamete with two copies
of the chromosome combines with a normal gamete during fertilization, the result is trisomy; if a
gamete with no copies of the chromosomes combines with a normal gamete during fertilization,
the result is monosomy. A change in the number of chromosomes can cause problems with
growth, development, and function of the body's systems, these changes can occur during the
formation of reproductive cells (eggs and sperm), in early fetal development, or in any cell after
birth and this means that it may only live for less than years than other individual with proper or
right gametes and number of haploid chromosomes. The development or growth and function of
it may cause damage in the cell. For example Aneuploidy can be lethal or result in serious
developmental disorders such as Turner Syndrome (X monosomy) or Downs Syndrome (trisomy
21). Down syndrome is the only autosomal trisomy in humans that has a substantial number of
survivors one year after the birth; it affects infant in every 800 live births.

It is important to note that the chance of passing on a genetic condition applies equally to
each pregnancy, or example, if a couple has a child with an autosomal recessive disorder, the
chance of having another child with the disorder is still 25 percent (or 1 in 4). Having one child
with a disorder does not “protect” future children from inheriting the condition, conversely,
having a child without the condition does not mean that future children will definitely be
affected. Estimating the chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder can be complex.
Genetics professionals can help people understand these chances and help them make informed
decisions about their health.