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Albinism

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*yawn* Albinism isn t SO bad By Grace Reynolds AP Biology Introduction Albinism is a genetic disorder which is characterized by a defect in the gene that ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Albinism


1
Albinism
yawn Albinism isnt SO bad
  • By Grace Reynolds
  • AP Biology

2
Introduction
  • Albinism is a genetic disorder which is
    characterized by a defect in the gene that
    produces melanin.
  • This results in a lack of pigmentation in the
    hair, skin and eyes (resulting in a white or pink
    color).
  • Albinism was first discovered by Sir Archibald
    Garrod in 1908.

3
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4
How is it Inherited?
  • Albinism is an autosomal recessive trait.
  • An individual with albinism must inherit the
    albino gene from both of its parents.

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6
Features/Symptoms
  • White or pink hair, skin, eyes
  • Eye problems nystagmus (horizontal back and
    forth movement of eyes), strabismus (muscle
    imbalance, crossed eyes, lazy eye, protruding of
    eye), sensitivity to bright light and glare,
    far-sightedness, near-sightedness, astigmatism,
    foveal hypoplasia (retina does not develop
    normally prenatally or in infancy), nerve signals
    from retina to brain do not follow normal nerve
    routes, and iris cannot screen out light because
    of the lack of pigmentation.
  • Normal life span, same types of medical problems
    as non-albinos.

7
Treatment
  • The symptoms of albinism are treatable.
  • The lack of melanin in the skin makes albinos
    more susceptible to sunburns. This is easily
    treatable with sunscreen, hats, and protective
    clothing.
  • Vision may be treated with glasses or bifocal
    glasses, but often the symptoms arent that
    simple.
  • Nystagmus can be treated with biofeedback,
    surgery, and contact lenses. The best treatment
    is eye muscle surgery that reduces the movement
    of the eyes.

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9
  • Strabismus can be treated by the wearing of
    glasses to help the alignment of the eyes, the
    wearing of an eyepatch to promote the use of the
    non-preferred eye, surgery to help with the
    alignment, and injection of medicine into the
    muscles around the eye can also help with the
    alignment.
  • Nothing can be done to correct the incorrect
    routes of the nerve impulses, or the depth
    perception.
  • Photophobia can be treated with dark tinted
    glasses, or lenses that darken upon exposure to
    bright light.

10
Myths about Albinism
  • Myth
  • Fact
  • All albinos have red eyes.
  • Albinism is more common in African Americans.
  • FALSE. Although some can have red or violet eyes,
    most have blue or gray.
  • FALSE. Albinism effects people of all races an
    ethnic groups equally.
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