Understanding Monogenic Disorders: Causes, Types, and Examples

Monogenic refers to a single-gene disorder, meaning that the condition is caused by a mutation in a single gene. This is in contrast to polygenic disorders, which are caused by multiple genes interacting with each other and/or environmental factors.

In the context of genetics, monogenic disorders are often referred to as Mendelian disorders, after Gregor Mendel, who first described the laws of inheritance that govern how traits are passed down from parents to offspring. These disorders are typically inherited in an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked manner, depending on the location of the mutated gene.

Examples of monogenic disorders include sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and Huntington's disease. These conditions are caused by a single mutation in a specific gene, which leads to a specific set of symptoms and characteristics.