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-Down Syndrome-
-An Informative Essay-
Down Syndrome is the name for babies born with a disorder
related to their chromosomes. It is caused when meiosis occurs
and an error occurs in the cells development. The reason for
this defect is often because the parent is over 40 or for some
other reason their meiosis is not 'Up to par.'
The actual defect is an extra chromosome is developed during
cell development. The abnormal development results in 47
chromosomes rather than the usual 46 (23 from each parent).
This extra gene causes problems in the child's physical and
mental development. There are an estimated 5000 babies with Down
Syndrome born in America every single year. While the chances of
having a Down Syndrome baby are slim, (1 in 1000) it is still an
issue that to-be parents should discuss and prepare for.
People with Down Syndrome are identified by many physical
Down Syndrome Foundation
In Down syndrome, there are three copies of chromo...
Down Syndrome Karyotype. from en: with same file n...characteristics. Some of these are: larger or almond shaped eyes
(sometimes Brushfield spots on the irises), smaller than normal
features, such as smaller ears or a smaller nose, short stubby
fingers, a single palmar crease on their hands, and having
exceptional social intelligence.
Because Down Syndrome is cause by a cell abnormality during
meiosis, it can not really be proven that Down Syndrome is
hereditary. A perfectly healthy mother could have a Down
Syndrome baby even though there was never any sign of the
disorder in her pedigree. There are however, three different
kinds of Down Syndrome. 95% of Down Syndrome babies have Trisomy
21. This is the presence of extra genetic material on the 21st
pair of chromosomes. Around 4% have what is called
Translocation. This is where the extra chromosome 21 decided to
break away and attach itself to another chromosome. The last 1%
is made...