Final answer:
The incidence of having a child with Down syndrome increases with maternal age, particularly after age 35, contradicting the false statement that it is least likely in infants of mothers over 40.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'Down syndrome is least likely to be seen in the infants of mothers over 40' is False. In fact, the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, increases dramatically with maternal age. The risk of having a child with Down syndrome is significantly higher among women age 35 and older. This is because with increasing age, there is an increased risk of errors during cell division called meiosis, which leads to an additional copy of chromosome 21.
Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46, with an extra chromosome 21. This genetic condition can cause intellectual disability, vision problems, congenital heart disease, and a higher susceptibility to some cancers. Despite these challenges, it is important to acknowledge that individuals with Down syndrome can become successful, contributing members of society.