Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What characterizes Huntington's disease in humans?

1. Uncontrolled body movements

2. Loss of vision

3. Developmental delay

4. Skin disorders

The correct answer is: Uncontrolled body movements

Huntington's disease is characterized primarily by the presence of uncontrolled body movements, known as chorea. This neurological disorder is caused by a genetic mutation leading to progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. The uncontrolled movements can manifest as jerky, dance-like motions affecting various parts of the body, and they usually become more pronounced as the disease progresses. While Huntington's disease can lead to various symptoms over time, including cognitive decline and emotional disturbances, the hallmark feature that distinguishes it is indeed these involuntary movements. The other options, such as loss of vision, developmental delay, and skin disorders, are not typical characteristics associated with Huntington's disease, making the first option the clear and accurate identification of its primary symptom.