Organisms vary widely in the number of chromosomes per cell. The ant, Myrmecia pilosula, has only two chromosomes (one pair) per cell. By contrast, the fern, Ophioglossum, has up to 1260 chromosomes (630 pairs) per cell. This variation among organisms seems to be unrelated to how complex those species are. The precise chromosome number, though, seems to be an important characteristic. So an ant with one pair of chromosomes must have just one pair of chromosomes. And a fern with 1260 chromosomes must have 1260 chromosomes. Any different number results in changes in characteristics that are often so dramatic that the organisms cannot survive.
Aneuploidies
Humans typically have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) per cell. Human aneuploidies are conditions where the chromosome number is not 46.
Select a human aneuploidy.
Describe the symptoms of this human aneuploidy.
Explain the cellular processes that lead to this condition.
Is it possible to treat aneuploidies in utero?
In your opinion, should we treat aneuploidies in utero?