Crossword Puzzle for Human Chromosomal Abnormalities

Across

6. The general term for a chromosomal abnormality in which there is an addition or loss of chromosomes within a set (e.g., 23 + 22 or 23 + 24 in humans).
7. A diagnostic procedure for pregnant women to determine whether or not their fetuses have gross chromosomal anomalies. It involves sampling the liquid immediately surrounding a fetus within the amnion. This fluid is usually extracted through the mother's abdominal and uterine walls with a hypodermic needle.
9. The membrane that develops around an embryo and contributes to the formation of the placenta in humans and other mammals. Later, as a fetus develops, this membrane fuses with the amnion.
10. The medical syndrome in which females inherit three X chromosomes. As adults, these women are usually an inch or so taller than average with unusually long legs and slender torsos, but otherwise appear normal. They have normal development of sexual characteristics and are fertile. People with this syndrome are also referred to as metafemales.
11. A routine diagnostic sampling procedure for pregnant women used to determine whether or not their fetuses have gross chromosomal anomalies. For this procedure, blood is drawn from a pregnant woman in order to determine the amount of certain proteins that have leaked into her system from her unborn child.
14. A fold of skin over the inner corner of each eyelid. This is characteristic of normal East Asians. It is also typical of people with Down syndrome from any population in the world.
15. The general term for a structural modification of a chromosome in which a portion of a chromatid is broken off and attached to a different location on that chromosome or on another chromosome. This occurs as a result of crossing-over when chromosomes are being duplicated.
16. The general term for a chromosomal abnormality in which there are extra complete multiples of chromosome sets (e.g., 23 + 23 + 23 in humans).
19. The gender of babies that are at the highest risk for X-linked genetic disorders.
20. The general term for a chromosomal abnormality in which there is only one chromosome instead of the usual two homologous chromosomes for a particular pair.

Down

1. The period between conception and birth during which an unborn young is within its mother's uterus. Pregnancy is another word for it.
2. A diagnostic sampling procedure for pregnant women to determine whether or not their fetuses have gross chromosomal anomalies. It involves collecting a small sample of chorion cells for karyotyping. The biopsy usually is done by inserting a small flexible plastic tube through the vagina and the cervix of the uterus to draw out a sample of chorion tissue.
3. The medical syndrome in which males inherit one or more extra X chromosomes. They are likely to have relatively high-pitched voices, asexual to feminine body contours as well as breast enlargement, and comparatively little facial and body hair. They usually are sterile or nearly so, and their testes and prostate gland are small. As a result, they produce relatively small amounts of testosterone.
4. A genetic pattern in which an individual has two distinct cell groupings--one with normal cells and another with a genetic problem.
5. An organ that develops from the chorion of an embryo during gestation and grows into the wall of the uterus. It is connected to an unborn child by the umbilical cord. This organ provides oxygen, nutrients, and antibodies for a fetus. Following birth, this organ and the umbilical cord are naturally expelled from the uterus as the "afterbirth."
6. The fluid surrounding a fetus inside the amnion in its mother’s uterus. It mostly consists of fetal urine, but also contains some fetal skin cells.
8. A gerneral term for a number of medical conditions that occur together and characterize a particular disease or condition.
12. An unborn child during the later stages of pregnancy. In humans, it develops from an embryo usually after the 8th week of gestation. Unlike embryos, they have clearly recognizable physical characteristics of the species and gender.
13. The general term for a chromosomal abnormality in which there are 3 chromosomes instead of just 2 for a specific homologous pair.
15. The medical syndrome in which females inherit only one X chromosome. If they survive to birth, these girls have abnormal growth patterns. They are short in stature, averaging 4 feet 7 inches as adults. They generally lack prominent female secondary sexual characteristics. Their ovaries do not develop normally and they do not ovulate. The few oöcytes that they produce are destroyed by the time they are two.
17. The medical syndrome that is due to trisomy-21. People with this syndrome commonly have broad, short heads with small low-set ears, small concave saddle-shaped or flattened noses, relatively large ridged tongues that roll over a protruding lower lip, low muscle tone, and loose joints. This medical syndrome also results in mental retardation.
18. The medical syndrome in which males inherit an extra Y chromosome. As adults, these "super-males" are usually tall (above 6 feet) and generally appear and act normal. However, they produce high levels of testosterone. During adolescence they often are slender, have severe facial acne, and are poorly coordinated. They are usually fertile and lead normal lives as adults. Many, if not most, are unaware that they have a chromosomal abnormality.


Copyright © 2005 by Dennis O'Neil. All rights reserved.