Inherited disorders

• What are inherited disorders?

  Disorders caused by faulty alleles that are passed from parents to offspring through genes.
• What is cystic fibrosis?

  A genetic disorder of the cell membranes caused by a recessive allele. It leads to the production of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system.
• What is polydactyly?


  A genetic disorder where a person has extra fingers or toes, caused by a dominant allele.
• What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

  Dominant allele: Only one copy is needed for the trait to be expressed.

  Recessive allele: Two copies are needed for the trait to be expressed.
• What is a carrier?

  A person who has one copy of a recessive allele for a genetic disorder but does not show symptoms.
• What is the inheritance pattern of cystic fibrosis?

  Caused by two recessive alleles (homozygous recessive).

  Carriers have one normal and one faulty allele
• What is the inheritance pattern of polydactyly?

  Caused by one dominant allele (heterozygous or homozygous dominant).