Mosaic (genetics)
Overview of genetic mosaicism
Mosaicism in Genetics[edit | edit source]
Mosaicism in genetics refers to the presence of two or more populations of cells with different genotypes in one individual who has developed from a single fertilized egg. This condition can affect any type of cell, including somatic and germ cells.
Causes of Mosaicism[edit | edit source]
Mosaicism arises from mutations that occur in a cell during development after fertilization. These mutations can be caused by various factors, including errors in DNA replication, environmental influences, or spontaneous mutations.
Somatic Mosaicism[edit | edit source]
Somatic mosaicism occurs when the mutation arises in a somatic cell, which can lead to a patchy distribution of the mutation throughout the body. This type of mosaicism can result in conditions such as cancer or neurofibromatosis.
Germline Mosaicism[edit | edit source]
Germline mosaicism occurs when the mutation is present in the germ cells, which can be passed on to offspring. This can result in a child being affected by a genetic disorder even if the parents do not show any symptoms.
Examples of Mosaicism[edit | edit source]
One of the most well-known examples of mosaicism is the variegated coloring seen in some plants, such as the tulip shown in the image. In humans, mosaicism can manifest in various ways, including skin pigmentation disorders like vitiligo or mosaic Down syndrome.
Detection and Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Mosaicism can be detected through various genetic testing methods, including karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and next-generation sequencing. These tests can identify the presence of different genetic populations within an individual.
Implications of Mosaicism[edit | edit source]
The presence of mosaicism can have significant implications for genetic counseling and disease prognosis. It can affect the severity and presentation of genetic disorders and influence the risk of passing on genetic conditions to offspring.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
