Genetic Disorders Reading Answers

Aug 14, 2024

Genetic disorders Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Genetic disorders Reading Answers have a total of 6 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to answer within 3 words.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as Genetic disorders Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

GENETIC DISORDERS

Researchers have identified more than 4,000 diseases that are caused by mutations. However, having a genetic mutation that may cause a disease or condition doesn't always mean that a person will develop that disease or condition. On average, people probably carry from 5 to 10 genes with mutations in each of their cells Problems happen when the particular gene is dominant or when a mutation is present in both copies of a recessive gene pair. Problems can also happen when several variant genes interact with each other or with the environment to increase susceptibility to diseases. If a person has a change in a dominant gene that is associated with a particular condition, he or she will usually have features of that condition. Each of the person's children will have a 1 in 2 (50%) chance of inheriting the gene and developing the same features. Diseases and conditions caused by a dominant gene include achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism), Marfan syndrome (a connective tissue disorder) and Huntington's disease (a degenerative disease of the nervous system.

People who have a change in just one copy of a recessive gene are called carriers. They don't usually have the disease because they have a normal gene copy of that pair that can do the job. When two carriers have a child together, however, the child has a 1 in 4 (25%) chance of getting a gene with a mutation from both parents, which would result in the child having the disease. Cystic fibrosis (a lung disease), sickle cell anaemia (a blood disorder), and Tay-Sachs disease (which causes nervous system problems) are caused by recessive mutations from both parents coming together in a child. With recessive gene mutations on the X chromosome, usually, only guys can develop the disease because they have only one X chromosome. Girls have two X chromosomes since they have a back-up copy of another X chromosome, they don't always show features of X-linked conditions. These include the bleeding disorder haemophilia and colour blindness.

Sometimes when an egg and sperm unite, the new cell gets too many or too few chromosomes, which can cause issues for the child. For example, most children born with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome D- Donc if they light have certain genetic illnesses. Genetic testing usually involves taking a sample of someone's blood, skin, or amniotic fluid and checking it for genetic changes.

Questions 20-26

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A

NUMBER from the above text.

20. Achondroplasia is a disease caused by which type of gene?

Answer: DOMINANT

Supporting statement: “........Diseases and conditions caused by a dominant gene include achondroplasia........”

Keywords: achondroplasia, dominant

Keyword Location: para 1, Line 4

Explanation: The passage specifies that achondroplasia, along with other conditions, is caused by a dominant gene. This indicates that achondroplasia results from a mutation in a dominant gene.

21. Which gender doesn't always show features of X-linked conditions?

Answer: GIRLS

Supporting statement: “........Girls have two X chromosomes since they have a back-up copy of another X chromosome, they don't always show features of X-linked conditions........”

Keywords: linked, conditions

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 3

Explanation: The passage mentions that girls, having two X chromosomes, do not always show features of X-linked conditions due to the presence of a backup X chromosome.

22. Tay-Sachs disease is caused by which type of mutations?

Answer: RECESSIVE

Supporting statement: “........Tay-Sachs disease (which causes nervous system problems) is caused by recessive mutations........”

Keywords: Tay-Sachs, recessive

Keyword Location: para 2, Line 8

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that Tay-Sachs disease is caused by recessive mutations, indicating that the disease requires mutations in both copies of the recessive gene to manifest.

23. Which number of extra chromosomes do children born with Down syndrome have?

Answer: 21

Supporting statement: “.......For example, most children born with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome 21.........”

Keywords: syndrome, extra

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 1

Explanation: The passage provides the specific number of the extra chromosome associated with Down syndrome, which is chromosome 21.

24. Name a degenerative disease of the nervous system which is caused by

genetic mutations?

Answer: HUNTINGTON

Supporting statement: “.......Diseases and conditions caused by a dominant gene include ... Huntington disease (a degenerative disease of the nervous system).........”

Keywords: Huntington, degenerative

Keyword Location: para 1, Line 4

Explanation: The passage identifies Huntington's disease as a degenerative disease of the nervous system caused by a dominant gene mutation, specifying it as an example in the text.

25. What do we call people who have a change in just one copy of a recessive gene?

Answer: CARRIERS

Supporting statement: “.......People who have a change in just one copy of a recessive gene are called carriers.........”

Keywords: carriers, recessive

Keyword Location: para 2, Line 1

Explanation: The passage defines individuals with a mutation in only one copy of a recessive gene as "carriers," making this the correct term.

26. Name a bleeding disorder which is an X chromosome-linked genetic disease.

Answer: HEMOPHILIA

Supporting statement: “........These include the bleeding disorder haemophilia and colour blindness........”

Keywords: haemophilia, X-linked

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 4

Explanation: The passage lists haemophilia as an example of an X-linked genetic disorder that causes bleeding, indicating it is an X-chromosome-linked condition.

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