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.
Each fibre is actually an elongated cell that is made up of many individual cells that have fused. Different types of muscular dystrophy are due to errors in different proteins, determined by different genes. For example, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the result of a faulty gene on the X chromosome. For this reason, it is called an X-linked dystrophy. The abnormality on the X chromosome prevents the formation of a protein called dystrophin, probably responsible for normal function of the muscle membrane.