Genetransmitted diseases, also known as inherited diseases, are caused by a faulty gene that is passed down from parents to their offspring. The spelling of this word can be broken down into three parts: gene, trans, and mitted. The first part, gene, is pronounced as /dʒiːn/, followed by the second part, trans, which is pronounced as /trænz/. The last part, mitted, is pronounced as /mɪtɪd/. When combined, the word is pronounced as /ˌdʒiːn.trænzˈmɪt.ɪd/ and refers to diseases that are genetically inherited.
Genetically transmitted diseases, also known as genetic disorders or inherited diseases, refer to a group of medical conditions that are caused by abnormalities or mutations in an individual's genetic material or DNA. These disorders are passed down from parents to their offspring through their genes. Genes are the fundamental units of heredity and carry instructions for the development and functioning of our bodies.
Genetically transmitted diseases can be inherited in different ways, such as through the dominant or recessive inheritance pattern. Dominant disorders occur when a single copy of the abnormal gene, inherited from one parent, is sufficient to cause the disease. On the other hand, recessive disorders require both copies of the gene, one from each parent, to be altered to manifest the disease.
These diseases can affect various aspects of an individual's health, including physical characteristics, metabolism, immune system, and organ function. They can range from mild to severe, and their symptoms may appear at birth or later in life.
Examples of genetically transmitted diseases include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Huntington's disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and hemophilia. Advances in medical genetics have allowed for early detection, diagnosis, and possible treatments for some genetic disorders. Genetic counseling and testing can help individuals understand their risk of passing on these diseases to their children, as well as provide guidance on family planning options.
The term "genetically transmitted diseases" or "genetransmitted diseases" is not commonly used in the field of medicine or genetics. However, if we analyze the origins of each component of the term, we can understand their individual etymologies:
1. Genetic: The word "genetic" refers to genetics, which is the scientific study of genes and heredity. It comes from the Latin word "geneticus", which is derived from the Greek word "genetikos", meaning "genitive" or "relating to origin". It has been used in English since the 18th century to mean "pertaining to genes, heredity, or the origin of characteristics".
2. Transmitted: The word "transmitted" comes from the Latin word "transmittere" which means "to send across" or "to transfer".