What is the Difference Between Trisomy and Triploidy?

Trisomy and triploidy are both genetic conditions that affect the number of chromosomes an individual has, but they differ in the nature of the chromosome abnormality and its consequences.

Trisomy:

• A person with trisomy has an extra copy of one chromosome, resulting in a total of 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46.
• Examples of trisomy include Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13).
• Trisomy is usually associated with intellectual disability and other health issues.

Triploidy:

• A person with triploidy has an extra set of chromosomes, resulting in a total of 69 chromosomes.
• Triploidy is a rare condition that can be life-threatening and is often associated with miscarriages.
• Infants born with triploidy often have severe birth defects and health problems, and do not survive for long.

In summary, the main difference between trisomy and triploidy is the total number of chromosomes: trisomy has 47 chromosomes, while triploidy has 69 chromosomes. Both conditions can have significant health implications, but triploidy is generally associated with more severe outcomes and earlier mortality.

Comparative Table: Trisomy vs Triploidy

Here is a table comparing the differences between trisomy and triploidy:

In summary, trisomy is a condition where an organism has an extra chromosome, while triploidy is a condition where an organism has an entire extra set of chromosomes. Both conditions can lead to developmental issues and are caused by errors during cell division and fertilization. However, trisomy is more commonly observed in animals, while triploidy is more common in plants.