Structural chromosomal change

A differentiation is made between structural and numerical chromosomal changes. Structural chromosomal changes are divided into two categories: balanced and unbalanced. Balanced chromosomal changes exist where part of a chromosome is relocated onto another. This shift in position does not normally affect the person with the change, but may affect their offspring. Unbalanced chromosomal disorders may involve the partial duplication or partial loss of some chromosome regions. The person with this change are usually directly affected.