Chromosome+11

**Size of Chromosome:** 134 million base pairs **([|Chromosome 11], April 18, 2012)**

 **Introduction**

> Chromosome 11 is one pair of the 46 chromosomes in the average human body. This chromosome, just as any other chromosome, has positive and negative effects. For example, Chromosome 11 contains a gene called //D4DR// which determines whether one is risky and adventurous or safe, cautious, and careful. On the other hand, mutations of genes on Chromosome 11 can lead to bladder cancer.  **Excerpt from "Genome"**

> "But each of us is unique, too. Some people are phlegmatic, some highly strung. Some are anxious, others risk-seeking. Some are confident, others shy. Some are quiet, others loquacious. We call these differences personality, a word that means more than just character. It means the innate and individual element in character. To seek out the genes that influence personality, it is time to move from the hormones of the body to the chemicals of the mind - though the distinction is by no means a hard-and-fast one." **(Ridley, M., 1999)** > -From **"Genome"** by **Matt Ridley**  **Gene 1 - //HBB// (1600 base pairs long ([|Sickle Cell Anemia Gene], April 19, 2012)): ([|HBB], April 19, 2012)**

> HBB, or //hemoglobin//, //beta//, is a gene that provides instructions for creating a protein called //beta-globin//. This protein is a subunit of a larger protein called //hemoglobin//, which is the protein located on red blood cells that carries oxygen to the various locations in the body. Therefore, this gene is vital for survival, because without it, red blood cells would not be able to carry oxygen and thus, humans would die from lack of oxygen. > Along with all the benefits this gene provides for humans, there are also negative effects of this gene that exist. For example, mutations of the HBB gene can cause disorders and diseases such as //beta thalassemia//, //methemoglobinemia//, //beta-globin type//, and a more familiar one, //sickle cell disease//. Beta thalassemia will be explained later on in the Disorder section.  **Gene 2 - //ROBO3// (16,065 base pairs)** **([|ROBO3], April 19, 2012)**

 > ROBO3, or //roundabout, axon guidance receptor, homolog 3//, is a gene that provides instructions for creating a protein called ROBO3. This protein is vital for the normal development of the nervous system. It is located in the brainstem, a region that connects the upper parts of the brain with the spinal cord. The ROBO3 protein aids in directing nerve cells, or neurons, to their respective positions. A major role that the ROBO3 protein plays in the human body is that it ensures the proper connection of neurons to the brainstem. This allows the body to communicate with the brain. Without this ROBO3 protein, the brain would not be able to communicate with the body and thus, the human body would be paralyzed. > Mutations of the ROBO3 gene can cause problems in the nervous system of the human body. For example, the disorder //horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis// causes people that are affected to be unable to move their eyes side-to-side (horizontally). **([|HGPPS], April 19, 2012)**  **Disorder**

> //**Beta Thalassemia**//**([|Beta thalassemia], April 19, 2012)**  >> Beta Thalassemia is a disorder caused by mutations of the HBB gene (discussed above). It is a blood disorder that decreases the production of hemoglobin, the important protein that carries oxygen on red blood cells. This leads to faulty red blood cells which leads to a shortage of healthy red blood cells, or //anemia//. Anemia caused by this disorder can make the affected individual's skin paler. Also, it can lead to weakness, fatigue, and several more serious complications. >> Symptoms of Beta Thalassemia include: anemia, abnormal weight gain and growth, yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes, enlarged spleen, liver, and heart, misshapen bones, and delayed puberty (in some affected adolescents). >> Symptoms and signs of Beta Thalassemia can be seen in affected individuals within the first 2 years of life. >> This disorder is fairly common and is present worldwide. Several infants with Beta Thalassemia are born yearly. >> Regular blood transfusions can correct the anemia. However, to fix the rest of the symptoms, a bone marrow transplantation is required. **([|Beta-Thalassemia - GeneReviews], April 19, 2012)**  **Interesting Facts**


 * 1) Chromosome 11 represents between 4 percent and 4.5 percent of the total DNA in cells!
 * 2) Chromosome 11 contains about 1,500 genes!
 * 3) Several of these genes (more than 150 of them) code for proteins that are used to detect different smells!

**References**
 * 1) Chromosome 11 - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions. Retrieved April 18, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/chromosome/11
 * 2) Ridley, M. (1999). Personality. Genome: the autobiography of a species in 23 chapters(pp. 161-172). New York: Harper Collins.
 * 3) Sickle Cell Anemia Gene. (n.d.). Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/hbb.shtml
 * 4) HBB - hemoglobin, beta - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/HBB
 * 5) ROBO3 - roundabout, axon guidance receptor, homolog 3 (Drosophila) - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/ROBO3
 * 6) HGPPS - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/horizontal-gaze-palsy-with-progressive-scoliosis
 * 7) Beta thalassemia - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/beta-thalassemia
 * 8) Beta-Thalassemia - GeneReviews™ - NCBI Bookshelf. (n.d.). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1426/

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