Part 1: Story
Hi! I am the DNS (Down Syndrome) gene. I’m a very common gene as many other genes just like me are inside 400, 000 Canadians. Now I will tell you about how I came to be me and how I take effect on my host’s body.
During the time my host’s body was being formed in the womb, I was also being formed. I was created because my person had an extra third full or part set of the chromosome 21 . DNS is usually a chromosomal defect. All of this is what caused Down Syndrome in my human’s body.
Having an extra or partial copy of chromosome 21 is caused by an error in the cell division process. This error is called Nondisjunction which is when a egg or sperm carries an extra copy of chromosome 21. Although one parents carried an extra set of chromosome 21 I could not have been detected before the baby was conceived. During the mothers pregnancy it can be detected and doctors can monitor the babies growth.
When my human is born they are born with a variety of disabilities. They have a delay in mental and physical abilities. These include have a smaller body and possess a smaller muscle tone. They also have some learning disabilities as they’re brain is less developed giving them a personality that is younger then their actual age. Their bodies are also more prone to diseases including Alzheimers.
My host had to go through a series of physical therapy and/or speech therapy. Although they have some disabilities people with me as their gene can still go to school and also they can sometimes work.
Part 2: The Making
1. What questions did you need to research in order to create your mutation story?
I needed to search up how the mutation happened and what caused it to happen and also how it effected the person.
2. What new or familiar digital tools did you try to use as you worked through the project?
I just used google and wikipedia.
3. What was the process you used to investigate the topic?
I researched each question that was required.
4. How did you verify and cite the information you found?
I collected all of the websites that I used and put them all together at the end of the project.
5. How did the process of completing this challenge go? What could you have done better?
I could have tried to find more information on how the gene affects the life of the person who possess it.
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