What is the consequence of non-disjunction in somatic cells?

Non-disjunction in somatic cells can lead to the phenomenon of mosaicism. Non-disjunction is the failure of chromosomes to properly segregate during cell division, which can result in some cells having an abnormal number of chromosomes while others still have the normal number. This phenomenon occurs during mitosis rather than meiosis, leading to a mixture of genetically distinct cells within the same organism.

In the case of somatic cells, if non-disjunction occurs early in development, it can result in a mosaic organism, where some cells have the normal chromosomal complement while others have an abnormal number of chromosomes. This can lead to a variety of clinical manifestations depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality in the affected tissues.

Other options, while related to chromosomal abnormalities, do not accurately represent the consequence of non-disjunction specifically in somatic cells. Polyploidy refers to a condition where a cell has more than two complete sets of chromosomes, typically seen in plants rather than somatic human cells. Trisomy refers to having three copies of a chromosome, which is generally the result of non-disjunction during meiosis and affects gametes rather than somatic cells. Turner Syndrome is specifically a condition resulting from the complete or partial absence of one of