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Difficulty: EasyGene Mutations and Chromosomal Aberrations

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a single nucleotide point mutation in a nuclear gene.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
The statement is false because Down syndrome is caused by a chromosomal aberration (trisomy 21 due to non-disjunction), not by a single nucleotide gene mutation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the genetic cause of Down syndrome
Down syndrome is caused by non-disjunction of chromosome 21 during meiosis, leading to trisomy 21 (47 chromosomes in total).
Down syndrome involves an extra chromosome set rather than a change in a single gene sequence.
2
Classify the mutation type
An alteration in total chromosome count is classified as a numerical chromosomal aberration, not a gene (point) mutation.
Gene mutations involve point alterations, insertions, or deletions within a specific gene sequence, whereas chromosomal aberrations affect whole chromosomes or large segments.

Key Concept

Distinction between gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations
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Topics

Gene Mutations and Chromosomal Aberrations

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