Define these pairs of terms, and distinguish between them. aneuploidy/euploidy monosomy/trisomy Patau syndrome/Edwards syndrome autopolyploidy/allopolyploidy autotetraploid/amphidiploid paracentric inversion/pericentric inversion

Key Concepts

Aneuploidy vs. Euploidy

Aneuploidy refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, resulting from nondisjunction during meiosis or mitosis, leading to conditions like Down syndrome. In contrast, euploidy is the normal state of having a complete set of chromosomes, which can be haploid (one set) or diploid (two sets), and is essential for normal development and function.

Monosomy vs. Trisomy

Monosomy is a type of aneuploidy where one chromosome from a pair is missing, resulting in a total of 45 chromosomes, as seen in Turner syndrome. Trisomy, on the other hand, occurs when there is an extra chromosome in a pair, leading to 47 chromosomes, with Down syndrome being a common example of this condition.

Autopolyploidy vs. Allopolyploidy

Autopolyploidy is the condition where an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes derived from a single species, often resulting from errors in meiosis. Allopolyploidy involves the combination of chromosome sets from different species, leading to hybrid organisms that can be fertile, such as in many plant species, and is crucial for speciation.