Title: Difference Between Genetic and Hereditary Diseases | Definition, Types, Examples
Headings: Difference Between Genetic and Hereditary Diseases
Difference Between Genetic and Hereditary Diseases
Main Difference – Genetic vs Hereditary Diseases
What is a Genetic Disease
Single Gene Inheritance
Multifactorial Inheritance
Chromosome Abnormalities
Mitochondrial Inheritance
What is a Hereditary Disease
Difference Between Genetic and Hereditary Diseases
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Content: There are various patterns of genetic inheritance in common diseases we often encounter in day to day life including
Single Gene Inheritance
Due to changes or mutations in the DNA sequence of a single gene under autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked forms. Accounting for more than 6000 diseases of this type, single gene inherited disorders are known to take place in about 1 in 200 births. E.g. Cystic fibrosis, Sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Hemochromatosis. Multifactorial Inheritance
Caused by a combination of environmental factors and multiple gene mutations. E.g. Heart diseases, hypertension, Alzheimer disease, arthritis, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, and obesity. Chromosome Abnormalities
Caused by abnormalities in chromosome number or structure. E.g. Down syndrome (chromosome 21), Turner syndrome (45, X), Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY), Cat cry syndrome (46, XX or XY, 5p-). Mitochondrial Inheritance
Caused by mutations in the non-chromosomal DNA of mitochondria. E.g. Leber’s hereditary optic atrophy, Lactic Acidosis
Genetics diseases do not necessarily pass from one generation to another unless there is a hereditary transmittable potential in it. Autosomal Dominant Pedigree Chart
What is a Hereditary Disease
This is defined as any health condition, caused by a mutation of a gene which can be characteristically transmitted from one generation to another.