Which disorder primarily affects boys and leads to muscle weakness?

Which disorder primarily affects boys and leads to muscle weakness?

• A. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• B. Cystic Fibrosis
• C. Down's Syndrome
• D. Huntington's Disease

Answer: (A)

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder that primarily affects boys due to its X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. This means that the gene responsible for the disorder is located on the X chromosome, and since boys have one X and one Y chromosome, they are more likely to be affected than girls, who have two X chromosomes. DMD is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration, affecting various muscle groups, including those necessary for movement and, eventually, respiratory function. This condition typically manifests in early childhood, often when boys are around 3 to 5 years old, and leads to significant physical challenges as they grow older. The other disorders listed have different characteristics: Cystic Fibrosis is a serious genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system but is not specifically related to muscle weakness, and it affects both sexes equally. Down's Syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is not linked to muscle weakness as a primary characteristic and affects both boys and girls. Huntington's Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that manifests in adulthood and affects both sexes equally, with different symptoms related to cognitive decline and movement, rather than focusing primarily on muscle weakness like DMD does.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder that primarily affects boys due to its X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. This means that the gene responsible for the disorder is located on the X chromosome, and since boys have one X and one Y chromosome, they are more likely to be affected than girls, who have two X chromosomes.

DMD is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration, affecting various muscle groups, including those necessary for movement and, eventually, respiratory function. This condition typically manifests in early childhood, often when boys are around 3 to 5 years old, and leads to significant physical challenges as they grow older.

The other disorders listed have different characteristics: Cystic Fibrosis is a serious genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system but is not specifically related to muscle weakness, and it affects both sexes equally. Down's Syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is not linked to muscle weakness as a primary characteristic and affects both boys and girls. Huntington's Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that manifests in adulthood and affects both sexes equally, with different symptoms related to cognitive decline and movement, rather than focusing primarily on muscle weakness like DMD does.