Final answer:
Down Syndrome is caused by the union of a normal gamete with a gamete that has an extra chromosome 21, a condition resulting from chromosomal nondisjunction during meiosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of Down Syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of an additional chromosome 21 in every somatic cell (also known as trisomy 21), is through the union of a normal gamete with the haploid amount of chromosomes (n) and another gamete with an extra #21 (n + 1). This occurs due to a process called chromosomal nondisjunction during meiosis, which is the most common cause of this syndrome. Trisomy 21 leads to a variety of physical and developmental features, and the risk increases with maternal age, particularly in women over 36 years old.