Disease Database Drug Database Alt. Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by an error in a specific gene associated with muscle function. Genes are the parts of a cell that let the cell know what specialized functions it will perform. They are found in the nucleus of the cell as tiny segments of DNA in the chromosome. There are approximately 50,000 to 100,000 individual genes located on the 46 chromosomes inside each cell within the human body.
Genes are the blueprints for body structure and function.
Each gene carries the code required to direct the cell to make a specific protein. Proteins are the molecules that carry out all of the work of the cell. The proteins synthesized by the genes are responsible for all structure and functions of living cells from eye colour to muscle function. They also form part of hormones and are components of enzymes within the body. Muscle tissue is made up of long muscle fibres.