The Meiosis Mix-Up
I’m the special type of cell division that creates eggs and sperm. When I mess up, chromosomes get lost or doubled.
Meiosis
Humans normally have 46 chromosomes. People with Down syndrome have this many.
47
A single line across your palm that can be a sign of Down syndrome.
Single palmar crease
Therapy that helps with movement, coordination, and balance.
Physical therapy
An image taken during pregnancy to look at the developing baby.
Ultrasound
I’m the exact mistake when chromosomes refuse to separate during meiosis.
Nondisjunction
This word describes all your chromosomes arranged in order by size in a picture.
Karyotype
Facial feature — small nose, flat face, and eyes that slant upward.
Almond-shaped eyes
Therapy that helps improve speaking and language
Speech therapy
A new type of blood test that checks fetal DNA for chromosome problems.
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)
When I happen, one cell gets two chromosome 21s, and the other gets none.
Nondisjunction during Meiosis I
This scientist first described Down syndrome’s traits in 1866.
John Langdon Down
A common heart condition in babies with Down syndrome.
Congenital heart defect
The organization NDSS stands for this.
National Down Syndrome Society
Scientists use this technique to take a picture of someone’s chromosomes.
Karyotyping
I lead to 47 chromosomes instead of 46, giving an extra 21st chromosome.
Trisomy 21
In a translocation type of Down syndrome, part of chromosome 21 attaches to this chromosome.
Chromosome 14
Slower speech and movement development is caused by this type of delay
Developmental delay
This type of education lets students with Down syndrome learn alongside others.
Inclusive education
The year scientists discovered that Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome 21.
1959
I’m the rare version where only some of your cells have trisomy 21 because the error happened after fertilization.
Mosaic Down Syndrome
This test uses cells from the placenta to check for chromosomal disorders early in pregnancy.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
A hormonal issue that sometimes occurs with Down syndrome, making people tired and slow.
Hypothyroidism
This conversation happens before genetic testing to help families understand options.
Genetic counseling
In labs, this small animal is often used to study trisomy 21 genes.
Mouse