Tay-Sachs Essay example

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TAY-SACHS DISEASE
SHUNTERRIA S. SHERMAN
KEISER UNIVERSITY

GENERAL BIOLOGY 1010
DR. GHISLAINE GUYOT JACKSON
OCTOBER 8, 2012

TAY-SACHS DISEASE
What is Tay-Sachs disease? It is a rare disease that is inherited. Tay-Sachs is caused by having too many fatty build up in the tissue and nerve cells in the brain. This build- up of substances kills or destroys the cells resulting in mental and physical problems. The disease takes place when the body lacks hexosaminidase A, a protein that helps break down a chemical found in nerve tissue called gangliosides. There are two forms of this disease: The most common is after a baby is born and it causes death. And the late-onset Tay-Sachs that can start between puberty and the mid 30’s. life span depends on the severity of the symptoms and , people may live as long as someone who doesn’t have the disease.
What causes Tay-Sachs? The disease is caused by a defect of a Hexa gene, which is found of chromosome 15. Tay-Sach is passed from parent to child, and is an autosomal recessive condition, which means both parents must have this detective gene in order for the child to inherit this disorder. The disease is more common in people of Ashkenazi (Eastern and Central) European Jewish heritages than in those of other backgrounds. Approximately 1 in every 27 Jews in the U.S. is a carrier of the Tay-Sachs Disease gene. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the onset of the disease. The most common begins in infancy. Infants appear normal for the first three to six months then symptoms of Tay-Sachs begin to occur. Common symptoms are slowing down of development, weakening of muscles, loss of motor skills such as turning over, sitting, and crawling. As the