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Genetics and Down Syndrome

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Genetics and Down Syndrome
How Genetics Influence Down Syndrome
Julia Henry
PSY 104
Professor Vincent
July 7, 2013

How Genetics Influence Down Syndrome
Genetics play such an vital role in our development. Every individual carries genes from their mother and their father. Characteristics such as height, eye color, if we have curly or straight hair are all determined through the our genes and specifically our chromosomes. Many times, parents inadvertently pass genes on to their children through their DNA that may contribute to developmental disorders such as Down Syndrome. In this paper, I will explain the role of genetics and how it plays a part in development. I will also explain how the genes of two parents can influence the traits and characteristics of their offspring.
Every person has genes and chromosomes located in every cell of their body. Those genes and chromosomes are what make us unique and different. Almost all of a person's traits, from their eye color to what type of hair they will have are coded in their genes (Beck, 2000). Genes and chromosomes come in pairs, with one member of each pair coming at conception from the father and the other from the mother. Normally, at the time of conception a baby inherits genetic information from its parents in the form of 46 chromosomes: 23 from the mother and 23 from the father (Skallerup, 2008). When a child has an extra chromosome for a total of 47 chromosomes instead of 46, they are believed to have Down Syndrome.
The genetic material children carry play an essential part in determining a child's characteristics and traits. Children that have an extra chromosome will affect that child's life in profound ways. Children with Down Syndrome have an appearance that will be slightly different from other children, they may have some unique medical problems, and they will most likely have some degree of intellectual disability. Down syndrome symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Children with Down
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