We can learn a lot by looking at chromosomes! They can tell us everything from the likelihood that an unborn baby will have a genetic disorder to whether a person will be male or female. Scientists often analyze chromosomes in prenatal testing and in diagnosing specific diseases. Follow the links to find out what we can learn from our chromosomes.

What are chromosomes?

How do scientists read chromosomes?

Making a karyotype

Using karyotypes to predict genetic disorders

Examples of genetic disorders caused by chromosomal abnormalities:

• Down Syndrome
• Turner Syndrome
• Klinefelter Syndrome
• Cri du chat Syndrome
• Williams Syndrome
• Reciprocal Translocation: Philadelphia Chromosome
• Robertsonian Translocation

Funding provided by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Precollege Science Education Initiative for Biomedical Research Institutions Award (Grants 51000125, 51000176)