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Genetic Conditions

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Genetic Conditions - Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic conditions are passed down from parents to their offspring. More often than not, parents are not aware they are carriers of the condition. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition.

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Genetic conditions

  • Genetic conditions occur when a gene is mutated.
  • The mutated gene is inherited by offspring of the parents with the gene.
    • Sometimes the mutation is random.
    • Sometimes the mutation is passed down by the offspring's carrier parents.
  • Genetic diseases are not infectious.
  • Sometimes, carriers are not even aware that they are carriers of the condition.
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Cystic fibrosis

  • Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition.
  • Cystic fibrosis causes mucus to build up in the lungs.
    • Mucus build-up causes an increase of infections and issues with digested food.
    • Mucus stops enzymes from breaking down foods by clogging the pancreas.
  • Cystic fibrosis shortens life expectancy.
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Symptoms of cystic fibrosis

  • People with cystic fibrosis may have:
    • Yellow skin
    • Lots of coughing
    • Chest infections
  • People with cystic fibrosis may also have:
    • Diabetes
    • Weakened bones
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Testing for cystic fibrosis

  • Newborn babies are screened for cystic fibrosis by the heel prick test.
    • The heel prick test checks the baby's blood.
    • The heel prick test checks for signs of cystic fibrosis.
  • There is no direct cure for cystic fibrosis but certain symptoms can be treated.

Genetic Conditions - Haemophilia

Haemophilia is a genetic condition. Haemophilia affects the ability to clot blood.

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Haemophilia

  • Haemophilia is inherited and affects the ability to clot blood.
    • People with haemophilia bleed for longer than usual.
  • Haemophilia affects males more than females.
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Symptoms of haemophilia

  • Symptoms of haemophilia include:
    • Prolonged nosebleeds
    • Bleeding gums
    • Easy bruising
  • Haemophilia also carries a slight risk of a brain haemorrhage.

Living with haemophilia

  • There is no cure for haemophilia.
  • People with haemophilia can live relatively normal lives.
  • People with haemophilia should take care in contact sports.
  • People with haemophilia should be careful when combining their medication with other medicines.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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