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person in middle example

Diseases
TODAYS TOPIC
DOWN
SYNDROME

Down Syndrome
Getting to Know the Disease
Down syndrome is caused by
mutacious cell division in early fetal
development. Scientists believe it frequently
starts in a woman's egg before or at
fertilization. Occasionally, the error occurs
in sperm at conception. It is not known
what causes the cells to divide abnormally.
Genes grouped together make up
chromosomes. Normally, a child inherits
46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent
during the process of Meiosis. The
abnormal cell division related to Down
syndrome produces extra genetic material,
usually an extra chromosome. The extra
chromosome is usually chromosome
number 21 which brings the person with
the disorder to a total of 47 chromosomes.
Down syndrome is classified according to
the specific way that extra genetic material
is produced through the screwed up
process of meiosis. That is how this disease
relates to the cell processes. It arises from
stem cells.
This disease leads to people getting
conditions such as hypothyroidism, or
hearing loss, respiratory infections . Also it
can lead to cognitive disability otherwise
known as mental retardation. The cells of
these areas do not function properly since
they are overcrowded with the extra
chromosome. This extra chromosome can
cause genetic problems that are a
generalized disruption of evolved genetic
balance in cells of affected individuals
leads to decreased developmental and
physiological buffering against genetic and
environmental forces. Some examples of
this disruption in homeostasis are increased
variance for metric traits, amplified
instability of developmental pathways,
reduced precision of physiological
homeostatic controls, and generalized
increased morbidity.
One of the problems caused by Down
Syndrome is a loss of fluidity in the cell
membranes. This causes the cells to dry up
and eventually die.
Extra Tidbits
Cell size is very important to the cell
for a couple different reasons. It helps to
maintain homeostasis and due to its size
and what is in it it remains in balance.
However, when you but extra genetic
material in it or change the size then it will
not be able to function properly.Cell parts
are important in the correct functioning
since each cell part has its own specific
job. The cell is in complete balance so it is
both necessary to maintain homeostasis
but also requires homeostasis to function
correctly. Therefore is either one is off then
the other one will get messed up. For
example if the cell is not functioning
properly then the cell cant maintain
homeostasis while if it is not maintaining
Symptoms:
*A short, wide neck with excess fat and skin
*Weak muscles
*Short stature
*Irregularly shaped mouth and tongue
*A nasal bridge that looks pushed in
*Brushfield's spots- white specs on iris
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Resources <ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome</ref>
<ref>http://children.webmd.com/tc/down-syndrome-symptoms</ref>

2009
<ref>http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html</ref>
<ref>http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/110516912/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0</ref>