Bloodline

By Peggy Brickman

Abstract

In this "clicker" case, based on a TV drama about a family secret that only knowledge of genetics can solve, students apply what they have read and heard about genetic diseases to determine familial relationships and predict the chance that a family member has inherited a genetic condition. The case is designed for use in a one-semester introductory biology course taken primarily by freshmen and sophomores to fulfill a general education requirement, but it could be used in any introductory biology course to help students understand and practice applying concepts related to human genetics. In addition, the case could be expanded or modified for use in a genetics or anatomy and physiology class in which human genetics and pedigrees are taught. The case is presented in class using a PowerPoint presentation (~1MB) punctuated by questions that students respond using "clickers" before moving on to the next slide. It could be adapted for use without these technologies.

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Date Posted

03/03/2011

Overview

Objectives

Given parental genotypes, identify the possible gametes and make Punnett squares to determine the genotypic and phenotypic ratios of predicted offspring.
Construct pedigrees and be able to distinguish patterns of inheritance seen in pedigrees such as the differences between autosomal and sex-linked and recessive and dominant patterns of inheritance.
Use pedigree analysis to develop a hypothesis for how a certain disease in transmitted.
Weigh evidence such as a pedigree chart or incomplete transmission to determine the probability that an individual will develop a certain disease.

Keywords

Human genetics; pedigree analysis; autosomal recessive; x-linked recessive; autosomal dominant; blood clotting

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Genetics / Heredity

Medicine (General)

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF, PowerPoint

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Clicker, Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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