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Types of Abnormalities
Chromosomal abnormalities result in a visual alteration of the chromosomes. Most abnormalities fall into two categories: numerical and structural. While numerical abnormalities encompass the gain or loss of complete chromosomes, structural abnormalities result in an error of chromosomal repair during DNA fragmentation.
Misrepair of Chromosome
Embryo development depends on the integrity of the sperm. Sperm do not possess the ability to self-repair damage. A cell's strand of genetic material must unravel into the proper sequence. DNA fragmentation repairs damage during this process. Structural abnormalities are the result of inadequate repair of chromosome breakage.
Improper Recombination
DNA fragmentation frequently requires the disassembly of the chromosome. Fragment abnormalities that occur during recombination result in irregular combination and failure to connect to the proper fragment. Chromosomes break in two to reveal a specific pattern. Only the proper halves of the chromosome can successfully reconnect. Fragments must be joined with their broken end or capped by a telomere, a segment of DNA that settles on the end of chromosomes.
Consequences
Errors in DNA fragment size can have minor effects on embryo development. Having the wrong number of chromosomes, however, has serious and lethal consequences. The presence of hundreds of thousands of minor abnormalities can cause birth defects. A change in the number of chromosomes affects development and function of the body's systems.