Reflect and Respond Based on what you've learned, briefly explain the evolutionary significance of the fact that parents pass on their chromosomes to their children. What happens when there is an error in the mechanisms by which chromosomes are passed down? What are some genetic disorders that can arise from mutations that are either inherited or acquired? A sample answer might look like this: Parents pass on their chromosomes to their children because the DNA packaged in the chromosomes, provides the instructions for all cells in the body to function. if there is an error in the mechanisms by which chromosomes are passed down, the chromosomes may not be passed down prc erly. This could lead to genetic disorders. There are many examples of genetic disorders that range from very minor to very severe. A frameshift mutation causes Tay-Sachs disease, an autosomal recessive disorder that is typically fatal. Frameshift mutations, in which the DNA of RNA sequence's reading frame is shifted by the addition or deletion of nucleotides, can have catastrophic consequences.