Page 202 - Science Course 3 (Book 1)

Mo5-L2c: Why are Disease Inherited?

Let’s Begin Key Concept

Why are Diseases Inherited?
Inheritance of Disease What role can mutations play in the inheritance of
disease?
A pedigree shows genetic traits that were inherited
by members of a family.

This illustration shows the pedigree for a family in
which cancer was common in each generation.

Unaffected Male Affected Male
Unaffected Female Affected Female

A mutation is any permanent change in the
sequence of DNA in a gene or a chromosome of a
cell.

If mutations occur in reproductive cells, they can be
passed from parent to offspring. Scientists today are using what they have learned
about genetics to help people.
Cancer, diabetes, and birth defects all result from
mutations in genes. In genetic engineering, the genetic material of an
organism is modified by inserting DNA from another
organism.

Original

Mutant Copy

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