nondisjunction
(noun)
the failure of chromosome pairs to separate properly during meiosis
Examples of nondisjunction in the following topics:
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Disorders in Chromosome Number
- Aneuploidy, an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, is caused by nondisjunction, or the failure of chromosomes to separate at meiosis.
- Misaligned or incomplete synapsis, or a dysfunction of the spindle apparatus that facilitates chromosome migration, can cause nondisjunction.
- The risk of nondisjunction occurring increases with the age of the parents.
- Nondisjunction can occur during either meiosis I or II, with differing results.
- Nondisjunction may occur during meiosis I or meiosis II.
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X-Inactivation
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Sympatric Speciation
- Aneuploidy results when the gametes have too many or too few chromosomes due to nondisjunction during meiosis.
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Gene Duplications and Divergence
- Aneuploidy occurs when nondisjunction at a single chromosome results in an abnormal number of chromosomes.