preview

Down Syndrome Trisomy 21, Translocation And Mosaicism

Satisfactory Essays

There are three types of Down syndrome trisomy 21 (nondisjunction), translocation and mosaicism. Trisomy 21 is caused by an error in cell division which is called nondisjunction. Nondisjunction results when the embryo gets three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two. This usually occurs at or prior to conception, a pair of 21st chromosomes in either the sperm or the eggs fails to separate. Since this occurs so early on, the extra chromosome is then replicated in every cell of the body. This type of Down syndrome accounts for 95% of cases (“What”). Translocation accounts for about 4% of cases. In this types the total number of chromosomes in the cells remain 46, but an additional full or partial copy of chromosome 21 attaches to another chromosome

Get Access