What type of genetic disorder is classified as ciliopathy?

Prepare for the American Board of Genetic Counseling Test. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations to enhance your knowledge. Get exam ready!

Ciliopathies are a group of genetic disorders caused by dysfunction of cellular cilia or ciliary function. Cilia are microscopic, hair-like structures on the surface of many cells that play critical roles in various biological processes, such as cell signaling, movement, and the development of organs. When cilia do not function properly due to genetic mutations, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms and conditions, including renal disease, situs inversus, and certain developmental disorders.

Understanding ciliopathies is important in medical genetics, as they highlight the significance of cilia in both cellular processes and the overall health of an organism. They illustrate how defects at a seemingly microscopic level can result in profound anatomical and physiological issues.

The other options represent different classifications of genetic disorders that do not relate specifically to ciliary function. Disorders of the blood cells focus on hematological issues, chromosomal translocation disorders are associated with structural changes in chromosomes, and metabolic disorders pertain to issues in metabolic pathways.

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