Karyotyping essays

Karyotyping essays Karyotyping is used to identify chromosome abnormalities in order to determine whether an individual will be born with any syndromes. Scientists count the number of chromosomes in the sample and whether or not the chromosomes have any structural changes in them. If this is the case then the individual may have been born with a number of things, depending on the variations of chromosomes. The sample is normally some blood, or a marrow sample, placenta fluid or amniotic fluid. (Understanding Genetics: A molecular approach, p. 251) The procedures in getting these samples are different for each one; also the age of the child determines how the procedure will be done. The most painful of these is the bone marrow sample; while the most common is the blood sample. The sample of placenta fluid is taken only if there is a miscarriage; while the amniotic sample is drawn from the baby itself while it is in the womb. Because chromosomes contain thousands of genes, which are stored in DNA, they are ideal in performing tests to find out about a baby before it is born. After the specimen is collected it is grown in tissue culture and then harvested. After this, scientists then stain the chromosomes and view them under a microscope. Then they are photographed to provide a karyotype. (Understanding Genetics: A molecular approach, p. 251) A normal count is about the same for both male and female, with the exception of the sex chromosomes, of course. (DNA Microarrays; A Practical Approach, p. 148) But if the results are not normal then the results could be a number of different syndromes that could either mess up the sex of the baby or other aspects of the babys health. Karyotypes are very important in knowing the health of a baby before its born, and in letting parents know ahead of time whether their baby is going to be born with defects and if it is, things that they need to do in order to prepare for that. With proper info...