GENETICSGENETICS Genetic Diseases

GENETIC DISEASES What is Down’s Syndrome? Down’s syndrome is a form of mental deficiency produced by a genetic abnormality known as Trisomy21. Characteristics include a thick tongue, extra eyelid folds, and short, stubby fingers.

During Fertilization, half a strand of male DNA is shared with half a strand of female DNA This will create the full strand of DNA needed for creating a baby, however such abnormalities such as Trisomy21 causing genetic diseases like down’s syndrome in babies. Trisomy 21 THE CAUSE

About down’s syndrome Down’s syndrome is named after the doctor{John Langdon Down}who first described the condition in On average, three babies are born with Down’s syndrome each day in the UK{that’s about one baby with Down’s syndrome for every 1000 babies born in the UK}.

Why? By Chance Down’s syndrome happens when at some point during fertilisation or when the egg or sperm was made an unusual cell division took place in an extra copy of chromosome number 21 in all the baby’s cells. There is no real reason why this happens, it is all merely chance!

CREDITS Eric Wong Alfie kelly Yussif Osman Naser Qarri Mohamed Sayed Kerry Fallon