Question

Huntington’s disease usually occurs in middle age and results in the loss of muscle coordination and cognitive abilities. This disease is more prevalent in people originally from Western Europe. What is the MOST LIKELY cause of this disease?

A) a mutated gene
B) loss of immunity
C) high blood pressure
D) high levels of glucose in the blood

Answer 1

Ans.

HD (Huntington's disease) is a genetic neurological disorder that occurs due to damage and death of brain cells. it is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation in HTT (huntingtin) gene, having a trinucleotide repeat section that makes HTT protein.

The mutation leads to an increase in this nucleotide repeat count, associated with formation of altered or mutated huntingtin protein. These altered proteins show deleterious affect on brain cells and result in Huntington's disease.

Thus, the correct answer is 'option A). a mutated gene.'