Difference between albino and normal

Albinoism

$1.25

Monday, May 12, 2014

Vol XCIII, No. 311

How organisms become albino

Albinoism

The gene that causes albinism was discovered in 1990. The defective gene—found on chromosome 11—results in a deficiency of an enzyme known as tyrosinase, which is necessary for the production of melanin. There is no treatment that can correct albinism; however, screening and prenatal diagnosis are available for couples who carry the gene and anticipate starting a family.

Not like the others

Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair and/or eyes. Albinism occurs in all racial and ethnic groups throughout the world. In the U.S., approximately one in 18,000 people has some type of albinism. In other parts of the world, the occurrence can be as high as one in 3,000. Most children with albinism are born to parents who have normal hair and eye color for their ethnic backgrounds.

Albinism is a congenital disorder that robs the skin, hair and eyes of color. Albinos are extremely pale and as such, suffer from sun burns and skin cancers more frequently than non-albinos. The lack of eye pigmentation can also cause problems. Human albinos often require surgery or wear corrective lenses. Albino animals face almost insurmountable odds when they're born in the wild. Baby albinos are seen as an oddity within their own species and are more visible to predators. These animals may also be cursed with imperfect vision or other health problems.

Interesting facts

Albinism Discovered

Albino occurence

• Albinism is considered as a rare condition. It is estimated that only one from 17,000 experiences albinism. A person with albinism gets the albino gene from both parents.
• The physical appearance of the people with albinism is totally different with normal people. They usually have blue or gray eyes. In rare cases, their eyes are pink or red.
• The people who live with albinism should concern more with the health of their eyes. Most people with albinism have a low vision. They need to use contact or glass to correct the low vision.
• There are some famous people with albinism who have inspired and impressed many people. Some of them include fashion model Connie Chiu, Winston “King Yellowman” Foster, Victor Varnado; Emperor Seinei of Japan, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Salif Keita, and Willie “Piano Red” Perryman
• Not only human, there are some famous animals with albinism. You can see a gorilla called as Snowflake, the coast Australian humpback whale named Migaloo, a Moach Dick sperm whale, a Bristol zoo penguin named Snowdrop, and Louisiana’s pink dolphin
• You are wrong if you think that people with albinism don't live as long. They actually tend to live longer.

At least 300 species in North America have had at least one reported instance of albinism. Researchers observe albinism occurs once out of every 10,000 mammal births. Albinism is much more common in birds, occurring once in every 1,764 births. Diluting or spreading out a species' gene pool greatly reduces the chance of albinism

Albinism was discovered by Sir Archibald Edward Garrod, an English scientist and physician. He was born on November 25th, 1857 in London, England.Sir Alfred Baring Garrod was a renowned physician himself and discovered abnormal uric acid metabolism related to the gout disease. Albinism was discovered in 1908 by Sir Archibald Edward Garrod.

Bibliography

More facts

Not only people, but also plants and animals suffer from albinism. The survival of albino plants is about 10 days because they lack chlorophyll. Albino animals also tend to have a shorter life because of their vision problems.

Weiss, Thomas C., (Feb 17 2011) Albinism Facts and Information. Disabled-World.

http:/www.myinterestingfacts.com. Ten Interesting Albinism Facts, July 5, 2013.

Britanica Middle School website- unable to acess this site to gather biblio information