Understanding Genetics: Intro to Chromosomes

Understanding the genetics of Autism could be the key to resolving the issues within. I want to explore the different Chromosomes associated with Autism, but it has occurred to me that I need to refresh myself in the basic biology. So I decided to break this huge issue into parts, to make it more understandable for everyone.

Genes are the traits passed down to children by their parents. Genes determine hair color, eye color, and can even impact the development of some disorders. In total a human can have approximately 20,000-25,000 different genes, all these in each cell of the human body. All the genes throughout the whole of your body form your genome. You may hear reference to geneticists or genetics. Genetics is the study of genes and geneticists are the scientists that study genes.

Genes are made up of patterns of DNA. DNA is made using only four chemical compounds. The DNA chemicals link together forming a tight, twisting ladder known as a double helix. This whole ladder creates a strand, or chromosome.

DNA makes Chromosomes

So what is a chromosome? A chromosome is a spaghetti like structure that carries all the information necessary for cells to create a complete organism. You, for instance, are an organism. Chromosome's are completely made up of genes. Chromosome's live in the nucleus of a cell and can be found in every cell of your body. I have always thought of the cell's nucleus as the brain of the cell. Chromosome's are usually found in pairs, there are approximately 46 chromosome strands (23 pairs) in the human cell. When a cell divides these strands repeat within each new cell.

                                          
                            Human Cell                                                                 Chromosomes

Chromosomes and DNA get all their work done via cell proteins. Genes are the instructions by which proteins are made via a special code. The body translates these codes to help make the different kinds of amino acids in our bodies.

Which chromosomes effect Autism? So far I have found research on chromosome X, 2, 7, 15, 16, and 17. I'm sure I will find others as we dive further into this area of study. Please keep in mind I am not a doctor or geneticist. I am simply curious and this is my understanding of chromosomes.

For more in depth reading on chromosomes please see this article. Feel free to visit us on Facebook.