Home > Encyclopedia of Science > Genetic Disorders

• Principles of genetic inheritance
• Words to Know
• Dominant genetic disorders
• Recessive genetic disorders
• Color Blindness
• Sex-linked genetic disorders
• Multifactorial genetic disorders

Genetic disorders are conditions that have some origin in an individual's genetic make-up. Many of these disorders are inherited and are governed by the same genetic rules that determine dimples and red hair. However, some genetic disorders—such as Down syndrome, characterized by heart malformation, poor muscle tone, and a flattened face—result from a spontaneous mutation (gene change) that takes place during...