Down Syndrome
Definition
Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21.
Analogy
Imagine if you're baking cookies and accidentally add an extra cup of sugar. The cookies will still bake, but they'll have different characteristics because there's too much of one ingredient. That's similar to Down Syndrome, where an extra chromosome 21 changes the 'recipe' of a person's genetic makeup.
Related terms
Trisomy: A condition in which an organism has three copies of a particular chromosome instead of the usual two.
Chromosome 21: The smallest human autosome with about 48 million base pairs, it is estimated to carry between 200 and 400 genes. An extra copy results in Down Syndrome.
Genetic Disorder: A disease caused by abnormalities in an individual's genome, such as Down Syndrome.
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