Sickle cell and Tay-Sachs are classified as what type of disorder?

Sickle cell disease and Tay-Sachs disease are both classified as hereditary disorders, meaning they are caused by genetic mutations that are passed down from parents to their children through inheritance. These conditions result from specific alterations in genes, where sickle cell disease is due to a mutation in the hemoglobin gene, and Tay-Sachs results from a mutation in the HEXA gene. Since these disorders originate from genetic changes rather than external factors, they fall firmly within the category of hereditary disorders.

Acquired disorders are those that develop due to environmental factors or lifestyle choices, infectious disorders are caused by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, and psychosomatic disorders involve a combination of psychological and physical factors. However, neither sickle cell disease nor Tay-Sachs fits into these categories, as their root causes lie strictly within genetic inheritance. Understanding these classifications emphasizes the importance of genetics in the study of certain diseases.