single-gene disorder

a disease or condition that is due to the presence of a single mutated gene. Generally, the single mutation causes a failure to synthesize a normally functioning enzyme that is required for a specific step in building body tissue or for a vital stage in the metabolism of a food component. Single-gene disorders are relatively rare (Huntington’s disease and sickle-cell disease are examples); instead, many diseases exhibit multifactorial inheritance and are also influenced by environmental factors.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

February 28th 2025

hypnotic regression

a therapeutic technique in which an individual under hypnosis is induced to relive a previous experience that may be contributing to current emotional difficulties. There are two types of hypnotic regression: age regression and past-life regression.