What is a characteristic of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the absence of dystrophin, a protein that is crucial for muscle cell integrity. In individuals with DMD, mutations in the DMD gene lead to a lack of functional dystrophin, throwing the muscle fiber's structural stability into disarray. This absence allows the muscles to become more susceptible to damage during contractions, resulting in progressive muscle weakness and degeneration over time.

The absence of dystrophin is what differentiates DMD from other types of muscular dystrophy, where dystrophin might be present but defective or produced in insufficient amounts. This specific characteristic is essential for diagnosis and understanding the pathophysiology of the disease.

The other options do not accurately describe DMD. It is not an autosomal dominant disorder; rather, it is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, which predominantly affects males. DMD does not primarily affect females as it is linked to mutations on the X chromosome. Moreover, while the progression of muscle weakness can seem rapid, individuals with DMD do not experience an immediate loss of all muscle strength; the degeneration is gradual and progressive over the years. Thus, the absence of dystrophin stands out as the defining