What is chromosomes?

I was born with an adnormality. One side grew faster than the other side due to chromosones (I was told by my parents). So what is a chromosome and how does is it affect growth?

A chromosomal abnormality occurs when the unborns has an incorrect number of chromosomes or has chromosomes that contain structural abnormalities (such as missing or extra pieces).

Some children are born with absence or underdeveloped bones in the lower limbs e.g., congenital hemimelia. Others have a condition called hemihypertrophy that causes one side of the body to grow faster than the other.

Every human being has 23 pairs of chromosones – 46 in total. all are the same except for 1 which is called the sex chromosome. Females have 2 copies of the X chromosome (XX) and the male have 1 X and 1 Y chromosome (XY).  Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair so that offspring get half of their chromosomes from their mother and half from their father.The other 22 pairs are autosomes (non-sex chromosomes) and look the same for both males and females.

A chromosome is an organized package of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) found in the central nucleus of the cell. This in contrast to bacteria where DNA floats freely around the cell. DNA contains the specific instructions that make each type of living creature unique.

Changes in the number or structure of chromosomes in new cells may lead to serious problems. For example, in humans, one type of leukemia and some other cancers are caused by defective chromosomes made up of joined pieces of broken chromosomes.

It is also crucial that reproductive cells, such as eggs and sperm, contain the right number of chromosomes and that those chromosomes have the correct structure. If not, the resulting offspring may fail to develop properly. For example, people with Down syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the two copies found in other people.

Chromosomal abnormalities are common causes of birth defects that can affect the brain and other parts of the body.

Here is a few examples of chromosomal abnormalities that can affect the functioning of the brain.
Trisomy 21
Trisomy 18
Trisomy 13
Klinefelter syndrome
XYY syndrome
Turner syndrome
Triple X syndrome
Structural abnormalities

Trisonmy 21
Down syndrome (DS or DNS) also known as Trisomy 21 is caused by a third copy of chromosome 21. Moderate disability, facial features are typically associated with Trisonmy 21. Additionally, it often involves heart defects, visual and hearing impairments. Severity of defects vary with each individual being.

Trisomy 18
Trisomy 18, also called Edwards syndrome, is a chromosomal condition associated with abnormalities in many parts of the body. Individuals with trisomy 18 often have slow growth before birth (intrauterine growth retardation) and a low birth weight. Affected individuals may have heart defects and abnormalities of other organs that develop before birth.
A small number of adults (usually girls) with Trisomy 18 have and are living into their twenties and thirties, although with significant developmental delays that do not allow them to live independently without full time caregiving.

Trisomy 13
Trisomy 13, also called Patau syndrome, is a chromosomal condition associated with severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities in many parts of the body. Individuals with trisomy 13 often have heart defects, brain or spinal cord abnormalities, very small or poorly developed eyes (microphthalmia), extra fingers or toes, an opening in the lip (a cleft lip) with or without an opening in the roof of the mouth (a cleft palate), and weak muscle tone (hypotonia). Due to the presence of several life-threatening medical problems, many infants with trisomy 13 die within their first days or weeks of life. Only five percent to 10 percent of children with this condition live past their first year.
Patau’s syndrome is a rare, serious genetic disorder caused by having an additional copy of chromosome 13 in some or all of the body’s cells. It’s also called trisomy 13.
Babies with Patau’s syndrome grow slowly in the womb and have a low birth weight, along with a number of other serious medical problems.

Klinefelter syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) also known as 47,XXY or XXY, is the set of symptoms that result from two or more X chromosomes in males. The primary feature is sterility. Often symptoms may be subtle and many people do not realize they are affected.

XYY syndrome
XYY syndrome is a genetic condition in which a human male has an extra male (Y) chromosome, giving a total of 47 chromosomes instead of the more usual 46. This produces a 47,XYY karyotype, which occurs every 1 in 1,000 male births.
XYY syndrome is associated with an increased risk of learning disabilities and delayed development of speech and language skills. Delayed development of motor skills (such as sitting and walking), weak muscle tone (hypotonia), hand tremors or other involuntary movements (motor tics), and behavioral and emotional difficulties are also possible. These characteristics vary widely among affected boys and men.

Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects about 1 in every 2,000 baby girls and only affects females.
A girl with Turner syndrome only has one normal X sex chromosome, rather than the usual two (XX).
Females with Turner syndrome often have a wide range of symptoms and some distinctive characteristics. Almost all girls with Turner syndrome:

• are shorter than average
• have underdeveloped ovaries (female reproductive organs), resulting in a lack of monthly periods and infertility

Triple X syndrome
Triple X syndrome, also known as trisomy X and 47 XXX, is characterized by the presence of an extra X chromosome in each cell of a female. Those affected are often taller than average, this chromosomal change typically causes no unusual physical features. Most females with triple X syndrome have normal sexual development and are able to conceive children.

So does chromosomes affect my slow growth on one side?