
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during cell division. There are three forms of nondisjunction: failure of a pair of homologous chromosomes to separate in meiosis I, failure of sister chromatids to separate during meiosis II, and failure of sister chromatids to separate during mitosis. Nondisjunction results in daughter cells with abnorm…
What diseases are caused by nondisjunction?
Some of the important examples are:
- Down’s syndrome – Trisomy of autosomes, i.e. chromosome 21. ...
- Edwards syndrome – Trisomy of chromosome 18 th.
- Patau syndrome – Trisomy of chromosome 13 th.
- Klinefelter syndrome – Trisomy of sex chromosomes. Here cells have one extra X chromosome (XXY)
- Turner syndrome – Monosomy. ...
- Nondisjunction is also seen to cause malignancy. ...
Which genetic disorder can only result from nondisjunction?
Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder caused by the partial or complete absence of one X chromosome. This is called monosomy and is typically caused by chromosomal nondisjunction. It is a very common abnormality among the sex chromosome disorders, with an incidence of 1 in 2000 liveborn females. Is Down syndrome caused by nondisjunction?
What is nondisjunction and what are its effects?
- The only chromosomal monosomy that is compatible with life.
- Clinical Features: Unusually short stature, shield chest, congenital heart disease, webbed neck, horseshoe kidney, ovarian dysgenesis.
- The most common cause of primary amenorrhea. No Barr bodies are seen.
What are disorders caused by nondisjunction?
Nondisjunction may occur any time a cell divides, so it can happen during mitosis, meiosis I, or meiosis II. Conditions associated with nondisjunction include mosaicism, Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome. Nondisjunction may occur whenever a cell divides its chromosomes.

Why is nondisjunction important in biology?
Nondisjunction Examples Nondisjunction causes abnormal number chromosomes in all the cells called aneuploidy or in some cells called mosaicism. Some of the important examples are: Down's syndrome – Trisomy of autosomes, i.e. chromosome 21.
What does nondisjunction affect?
Nondisjunction in meiosis can result in pregnancy loss or birth of a child with an extra chromosome in all cells, whereas nondisjunction in mitosis will result in mosaicism with two or more cell lines. Aneuploidy may also result from anaphase lag.
Is nondisjunction a good thing?
Nondisjunction is what we call it when a pair of chromosomes doesn't separate before cell division. As a result, one of the daughter cells ends up with an extra chromosome and the other is missing a chromosome. This could cause all sorts of problems. It's easy to understand why a missing chromosome can be bad.
How does nondisjunction lead to the development of diseases?
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes to disjoin correctly during meiosis. This results in the production of gametes containing a greater or lesser chromosomal amount than normal ones. Consequently the individual may develop a trisomal or monosomal syndrome.
What are examples of nondisjunction in humans?
Conditions that arise from non-disjunction events include: Patau's Syndrome (trisomy 13) Edwards Syndrome (trisomy 18) Down Syndrome (trisomy 21)
What is the outcome of nondisjunction in meiosis I?
There are three forms of nondisjunction: failure of a pair of homologous chromosomes to separate in meiosis I, failure of sister chromatids to separate during meiosis II, and failure of sister chromatids to separate during mitosis. Nondisjunction results in daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploidy).
When can nondisjunction occur choose the best answer?
When can nondisjunction occur? Choose the best answer. Nondisjunction errors can occur in meiosis I, when homologous chromosomes fail to separate, or in either mitosis or meiosis II, when sister chromatids fail to separate.
How can non disjunction lead to developmental disabilities in a person's children?
When nondisjunction occurs, the chromosomes do not properly separate. Instead, both members of one homologous chromosome pair migrate to the same pole. As a result, half the gametes will have an extra chromosome, and half will be missing a chromosome.
What are the consequences of nondisjunction other than trisomy 21?
Aside from trisomy (occurred through the addition of a chromosome), nondisjunction could also result in a loss of chromosome called monosomy denoted by (n-1) or (2n-1), such as in the case of Turner Syndrome.
How nondisjunction can affect the normal cell division?
Nondisjunction, in which chromosomes fail to separate equally, can occur in meiosis I (first row), meiosis II (second row), and mitosis (third row). These unequal separations can produce daughter cells with unexpected chromosome numbers, called aneuploids.
What happens during nondisjunction in meiosis?
Nondisjunction Produces Abnormal Gametes If nondisjunction occurs during anaphase I of meiosis I, this means that at least one pair of homologous chromosomes did not separate. The end result is two cells that have an extra copy of one chromosome and two cells that are missing that chromosome.
What are some mutations caused by nondisjunction?
Down syndrome (trisomy 21) Down syndrome, a trisomy of chromosome 21, is the most common anomaly of chromosome number in humans. The majority of cases result from nondisjunction during maternal meiosis I. Trisomy occurs in at least 0.3% of newborns and in nearly 25% of spontaneous abortions.
Does nondisjunction cause Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is caused by a random error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. The type of error is called nondisjunction (pronounced non-dis-JUHNGK-shuhn).
How does nondisjunction affect the production of gametes?
The phenomenon of unequal separation in meiosis is called nondisjunction. If nondisjunction causes a missing chromosome in a haploid gamete, the diploid zygote it forms with another gamete will contain only one copy of that chromosome from the other parent, a condition known as monosomy.
What happens if a zygote has nondisjunction?
If nondisjunction or anaphase lag occurs in the zygote and embryo, two or more cell lines may result (mosaicism) (Fig. 2 ). The final complement will depend on the stage at which abnormal cell division occurs and on the types of daughter cells that survive following nondisjunction or anaphase lag. Detection of mosaicism depends on the number of cells analyzed per tissue and on the number of tissues analyzed [ 11,12 ].
How to determine nondisjunction in lymphocytes?
Nondisjunction can be examined in binucleate human lymphocytes by using centromere-specific probes to examine distribution of pairs of chromosomes between the two nuclei [13].
What happens if a chromosome is not disjuncted in meiosis I?
Nondisjunction can take place in either meiosis I or meiosis II. If nondisjunction occurs in meiosis I, all four products of meiosis will be chromosomally abnormal. Two of the four products of meiosis will have two copies of the chromosome involved in the nondisjunction event, and two of the four products of meiosis will have no copies of that particular chromosome. Of further note, in germ cells with two copies of the chromosome, the copies, although homologous, will not be identical. Homologous chromosomes do not separate in nondisjunction errors in meiosis I, but sister chromatids separate properly in meiosis II. Thus, each of the germ cells with an extra chromosome will have a maternally derived chromosome and a paternally derived chromosome. In the absence of recombination, one chromosome would be entirely of maternal origin and the other entirely paternal.
What happens if a chromosome is not recombinated?
If nondisjunction occurs in meiosis II, two of the four products will be unaffected by the event and two of the products will be abnormal.
What are the effects of nondisjunction?
Effects of Nondisjunction. Nondisjunction can lead to the loss of a chromosome and give rise to a condition known as monosomy, denoted as (n – 1) or (2n – 1). It can also lead to the addition of a chromosome and is known as trisomy, denoted as (n + 1) or (2n + 1) . These abnormalities can give rise to a number of conditions.
What is nondisjunction in biology?
This is one of the most common forms of chromosomal aberration that occurs in humans.
How often does nondisjunction occur?
The frequency of this condition is one in every thousand births. Nondisjunction is mostly of maternal origin. Individuals with this syndrome usually have a lower intelligence and poor immunity. These individuals usually have slanting eyes and experience a stunted growth.
How many types of nondisjunction are there?
Depending on the stage in which nondisjunction has occurred, it can be classified into three types.
Who discovered nondisjunction?
Calvin Bridges and Thomas Hunt Morgan discovered the process of nondisjunction in dividing cells in the year 1910. This is one of the most common forms of chromosomal aberration that occurs in humans.
What percentage of aneuploidies are caused by nondisjunction?
Nondisjunction is one of the most common causes of aneuploidies, it amounts to about 25 percent of the aneuploidies that may occur in human oocytes.
Why is it difficult to study meiotic nondisjunction?
It is difficult to study meiotic nondisjunction for all chromosomes directly in gametes and even indirectly in products of conception because many aneuploid products of conception are lost early in pregnancy and are never brought to clinical attention.
How to determine nondisjunction in lymphocytes?
Nondisjunction can be examined in binucleate human lymphocytes by using centromere-specific probes to examine distribution of pairs of chromosomes between the two nuclei [13].
What is the nondisjunction form of a gamete?
Nondisjunction can occur also in the 3:1 form when three or one chromosomes involved in the translocation cross (Figure 2) enter the secondary gametocyte. The resulting N+1 aneuploid gamete contains an extra chromosome composed of two chromosomes involved in the translocation.
What is the failure of paired chromosomes to move to opposite poles of the spindle during?
Nondisjunction is failure of paired chromosomes to move to opposite poles of the spindle during mitosis or meiosis.
What is nondisjunction in biology?
In genetics, nondisjunction is a failed separation of chromosomes during cell division that results in daughter cells containing an abnormal number of chromosomes (aneuploidy). It refers to either sister chromatids or homologous chromosomes improperly separating during mitosis, meiosis I, or meiosis II. The excess or deficit chromosomes alters cell ...
What is the difference between euploidy and nondisjunction?
In contrast, euploidy is when a cell contains the normal chromosome complement. Nondisjunction may occur any time a cell divides, ...
What happens if you have nondisjunction in mitosis?
Nondisjunction in meiosis leads to a loss of a chromosome (monosomy) or extra single chromosome (trisomy).
When sister chromatids both go to one side, nondisjunction occurs?
In mitosis, nondisjunction occurs when sister chromatids both go to one side rather than dividing. Wpeissner / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
What is the cause of chromosomes not separating properly?
When Chromosomes Don't Separate Properly in Cell Division. Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome is a condition caused by nondisjunction in meiosis. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
What is nondisjunction in biology?
Nondisjunction is defined as the failure of chromosomes or chromatids to segregate during cell division. It leads to daughter cells with abnormal numbers of chromosomes, which is known as aneuploidy. The irregular distribution of chromosomes during cell division leads to one cell with an extra chromosome and the other with a less chromosome.
What causes nondisjunction?
Nondisjunction is caused due to inactivation of topoisomerase II, separase or condensin. During anaphase, the cohesin which binds the sister chromatids together is broken by separase. Catenation is removed by condensin and topoisomerase II.
What is the result of Mitotic Nondisjunction?
It leads to half of the haploid cells with abnormal chromosomes. Mitotic nondisjunction leads to somatic mosaicism as only the daughter cells lineage originating from the defective cell contains an abnormal set of chromosomes. It can lead to various forms of cancer such as retinoblastoma.
How to diagnose nondisjunction?
Nondisjunction can be diagnosed by karyotyping. Amniocentesis is carried out to take out amniotic fluid, which is analysed and any chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus can be diagnosed.
When does nondisjunction occur in oocytes?
Nondisjunction is more common in oocytes as the oocyte meiotic division gets arrested first at diplotene of prophase I and then later at metaphase II, which resumes only after fertilization. Most of the aneuploidy in children is derived from the mother.
Who discovered nondisjunction in Drosophila melanogaster?
Calvin Bridges and T. H. Morgan discovered nondisjunction in the sex chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. Nondisjunction can be further categorized into mitotic nondisjunction or meiotic nondisjunction. Mitotic Nondisjunction occurs during anaphase when sister chromatids fail to separate. Meiotic Nondisjunction is of two types.
What is nondisjunction in biology?
In general, nondisjunction can occur in any form of cell division that involves ordered distribution of chromosomal material. Higher animals have three distinct forms of such cell divisions: Meiosis I and meiosis II are specialized forms of cell division occurring during generation of gametes (eggs and sperm) for sexual reproduction, mitosis is the form of cell division used by all other cells of the body.
What is chromosome nondisjunction?
Chromosome nondisjunction in mitosis can be attributed to the inactivation of topoisomerase II, condensin, or separase. Meiotic nondisjunction has been well studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This yeast undergoes mitosis similarly to other eukaryotes.
What is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during?
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during cell division. There are three forms of nondisjunction : failure of a pair of homologous chromosomes to separate in meiosis I, failure of sister chromatids to separate during meiosis II, and failure of sister chromatids to separate during mitosis. Nondisjunction results in daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers ( aneuploidy ).
Who discovered nondisjunction in Drosophila melanogaster?
Calvin Bridges and Thomas Hunt Morgan are credited with discovering nondisjunction in Drosophila melanogaster sex chromosomes in the spring of 1910, while working in the Zoological Laboratory of Columbia University.
What happens when a chromosome fails to separate?
The chromosome shown in red fails to separate properly, its sister chromatids stick together and get pulled to the same side , resulting in mitotic nondisjunction of this chromosome.
What is nondisjunction in biology?
-disjunction is a lack of junction, or a separation or breaking apart. Disjunction is a normal process for both mitosis and meiosis — the chromosomes are supposed to split apart during anaphase so each daughter cells can receive a full and complete copy of the original cell's genome. Finally, nondisjunction, the full term, means there is a lack of separation. The chromosomes stay joined together so that too many migrate to one daughter cell while the other has a deficit.
What is the process of reducing the number of chromosomes in a cell?
Meiosis is the process responsible for reducing the chromosome number; i.e. for turning a diploid cell into four haploid cells.
Can nondisjunction occur in both males and females?
Nondisjunction can occur in both males and females, so it is possible for both sperm and eggs with abnormal chromosome numbers to be produced.
Why does nondisjunction occur?
Nondisjunction occurs When the chromosomes cannot separate properly. The result of this is that the daughter cells have an incorrect number of chromosomes, as one can have too many, and others may have too few. This problem causes cell function due to a cell cannot function properly without the right numbers of chromosomes.
What happens if the sister chromatids cannot separate?
If the pair of sister chromatids cannot separate accurately during the anaphase of meiosis II, the result will be that one daughter cell has an extra chromosome, and one daughter cel l missed the chromosome.
Can nondisjunction occur in meiosis II?
Nondisjunction can still happen in meiosis II, even if in meiosis I the cell divides accurately. During the process of meiosis II, each cell splits and goes from the diploid to haploid for the preparation of fertilization.
Why does nondisjunction occur in older cells?
This is precisely because the cell tends to lose its complete control over some processes as it grows older.
What are the errors caused by nondisjunction?
The errors caused by nondisjunction typically involve the spindle fibers. Normally, there is a mechanism (referred to as spindle checkpoint ) that checks whether the cell has correctly formed the spindle fibers and they have been specifically attached to the chromosomes.
What is nondisjunction in meiosis?
By definition, nondisjunction is the kind of error that occurs when homologous chromosomes fail to separate to the opposite poles during meiosis, result ing in cells with gametes that are with the wrong chromosome complement.
How many chromosomes are in nondisjunction?
Disorders Caused By Nondisjunction. Normally, humans have 46 chromosomes, with 44 being the autosomal chromosomes and the 2 being the sex chrom osomes. The probability of nondisjunction is high in humans, and sometimes can be really destructive to the zygote as the probability of miscarriage is also very high during the early trimester of pregnancy. ...

Types of Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction Causes
- Nondisjunction occurs when some aspect of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) fails. The SAC is a molecular complex that holds a cell in anaphase until all of the chromosomes are aligned on the spindle apparatus. Once alignment is confirmed, SAC stops inhibiting anaphasepromoting complex (APC), so the homologous chromosomes separate. Sometimes th...
Risk Factors
- The two main risk factors for nondisjunction are age and chemical exposure. In humans, nondisjunction in meiosis is much more common in egg production than in sperm production. The reason is that human oocytes remain arrested before completing meiosis I from before birth until ovulation. The cohesin complex holding replicated chromosomes together eventually degrades, …
Conditions in Humans
- Nondisjunction in mitosis can result in somatic mosaicism and some types of cancer, such as retinoblastoma. Nondisjunction in meiosis leads to a loss of a chromosome (monosomy) or extra single chromosome (trisomy). In humans, the only survivable monosomy is Turner syndrome, which results in an individual who is monosomic for the X chromosome. All monosomies of aut…
Sources
- Bacino, C.A.; Lee, B. (2011). "Chapter 76: Cytogenetics". In Kliegman, R.M.; Stanton, B.F.; St. Geme, J.W.; Schor, N.F.; Behrman, R.E. (eds.). Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(19th ed.). Saunders: Phi...
- Jones, K. T.; Lane, S. I. R. (August 27, 2013). "Molecular causes of aneuploidy in mammalian eggs". Development. 140 (18): 3719–3730. doi:10.1242/dev.090589
- Bacino, C.A.; Lee, B. (2011). "Chapter 76: Cytogenetics". In Kliegman, R.M.; Stanton, B.F.; St. Geme, J.W.; Schor, N.F.; Behrman, R.E. (eds.). Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(19th ed.). Saunders: Phi...
- Jones, K. T.; Lane, S. I. R. (August 27, 2013). "Molecular causes of aneuploidy in mammalian eggs". Development. 140 (18): 3719–3730. doi:10.1242/dev.090589
- Koehler, K.E.; Hawley, R.S.; Sherman, S.; Hassold, T. (1996). "Recombination and nondisjunction in humans and flies". Human Molecular Genetics. 5 Spec No: 1495–504. doi:10.1093/hmg/5.Supplement_1.1495
- Simmons, D. Peter; Snustad, Michael J. (2006).Principles of Genetics(4. ed.). Wiley: New York. ISBN 9780471699392.