Q 01/05

Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of which human chromosome, the smallest of them all?

A) 13

B) 20

C) 21

D) 22

Answer · why

C) 21

Chromosome 21 holds only about 1.5 percent of a cell's DNA, yet a third copy of it, known as trisomy 21, changes how the body and brain develop.

Q 02/05

World Down Syndrome Day is observed each year in which month?

A) January

B) March

C) October

D) December

Answer · why

B) March

March is the third month, a nod to the three copies of one chromosome, and the United Nations has observed the day every year since 2012.

Q 03/05

Where does the 'Down' in Down syndrome, a condition detailed in a landmark 1866 paper, come from?

A) A British doctor's surname

B) A village in Kent

C) An Old English word for hill

D) A slower pace of learning

Answer · why

A) A British doctor's surname

A British doctor's surname is the source: John Langdon Down published his description in 1866, and the name says nothing about mood or ability.

Q 04/05

Which mismatched clothing marks World Down Syndrome Day because its shape resembles a chromosome?

A) Gloves

B) Mittens

C) Shoes

D) Socks

Answer · why

D) Socks

Socks in bright or odd pairs are the best-known way to mark the day, an idea promoted around the world as the Lots of Socks campaign.

Q 05/05

Which 1989 ABC drama was the first TV series with a major character who has Down syndrome?

A) Life Goes On

B) The Wonder Years

C) Thirtysomething

D) Doogie Howser, M.D.

Answer · why

A) Life Goes On

Life Goes On was created around Chris Burke, an actor with Down syndrome, after ABC executives saw him in a TV movie; he played Corky Thatcher for fou...