Based on what you've learned, briefly explain the evolutionary significance of the fact that parents pass on their chromosomes to their children. What happens when
there is an error in the mechanisms by which chromosomes are passed down? What
are some genetic disorders that can arise from mutations that are either inherited or
acquired?
A sample answer might look like this: Parents pass on their chromosomes to their
children because the DNA, packaged in the chromosomes, provides the instructions
for all cells in the body to function. If there is an error in the mechanisms by which
chromosomes are passed down, the chromosomes may not be passed down
properly. This could lead to genetic disorders. There are many examples of genetic
disorders that range from very minor to very severe. A frameshift mutation causes
Tay-Sachs disease, an autosomal recessive disorder that is typically fatal. Frameshift
mutations, in which the DNA or RNA sequence's reading frame is shifted by the
addition or deletion of nucleotides, can have catastrophic consequences.