Final answer:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is characterized as being autosomal dominant and having a young age of onset. It is not commonly associated with obesity, hypertension, or polygenic inheritance, and while symptoms of poorly managed diabetes can apply to MODY, they are not specific to this type.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the descriptors for maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), there are specific characteristics that define this type of diabetes. MODY is primarily:
- Autosomal dominant: This means that one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. It is often passed on from an affected parent.
- Characterized by young age of onset: Typically, MODY presents in adolescence or early adulthood, but can sometimes appear in later years.
Additionally, MODY is not commonly associated with obesity and hypertension as it is a monogenic diabetes, in contrast to type 2 diabetes which is often correlated with these conditions. Hence, descriptor 3 is not accurate for MODY.
MODY is also not polygenic; it is often caused by a mutation in a single gene, making descriptor 4 incorrect for MODY.
The descriptor 5 referring to a combination of inadequate insulin secretion and resistance is not exclusive to MODY as this can happen in various forms of diabetes, including type 2 diabetes. However, it can also be a characteristic of certain MODY subtypes.
Finally, descriptor 6, which lists symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue, recurrent infection, and prolonged wound healing, are general symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes and could relate to MODY if it is poorly managed.