On Day 2 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I thought it might be helpful to simply explain for some people out there what exactly Down syndrome is. So without further ado, I give present to you
Down Syndrome Fact of the Day (Day 2):
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that happens during conception and is caused by an occurance in cell division resulting in an extra 21st chromosome.
So basically, for an unexplained reason in cell development, each cell in a person with Down syndrome results in 47 chromosomes, instead of the usual 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). There is an extra full (nondisjunction) or partial (translocation) 21st chromosome, resulting in the medical diagnosis of Trisomy 21. (Jack has the nondisjunction type of Ds, in case you were wondering :) This extra genetic material causes changes in the orderly development of the body and brain, as well as the physical characteristics and delayed physical, intellectual, and language development associated with Down syndrome.
So basically, for an unexplained reason in cell development, each cell in a person with Down syndrome results in 47 chromosomes, instead of the usual 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). There is an extra full (nondisjunction) or partial (translocation) 21st chromosome, resulting in the medical diagnosis of Trisomy 21. (Jack has the nondisjunction type of Ds, in case you were wondering :) This extra genetic material causes changes in the orderly development of the body and brain, as well as the physical characteristics and delayed physical, intellectual, and language development associated with Down syndrome.
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| Am I rockin' this extra chromosome or what?!?!? |
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