What is an Abnormal Chromosome Number?
Abnormal Chromosome Number occurs when a typical chromosomal pair has been altered, it does affect protein structure and function. When an individual is missing a chromosome from a pair it is referred to as monosomy and when an individual has more than two chromosomes of a particular pair it is referred to as trisomy.
LESSON OVERVIEW (SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS: D2.1, D3.1, D3.2, D3.4)
Lesson Hook:
The following video courtesy of Youtube is a great way to introduce some of the biases and misconceptions associated with genetic disorders from the viewpoint of a young girl with down's syndrome. She discusses the limitations placed on her by society and how she has chosen to advocate for herself and others with genetic disorders.
Abnormal Chromosome Number occurs when a typical chromosomal pair has been altered, it does affect protein structure and function. When an individual is missing a chromosome from a pair it is referred to as monosomy and when an individual has more than two chromosomes of a particular pair it is referred to as trisomy.
LESSON OVERVIEW (SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS: D2.1, D3.1, D3.2, D3.4)
Lesson Hook:
The following video courtesy of Youtube is a great way to introduce some of the biases and misconceptions associated with genetic disorders from the viewpoint of a young girl with down's syndrome. She discusses the limitations placed on her by society and how she has chosen to advocate for herself and others with genetic disorders.
Pedagogy:
Abnormal chromosome number can really be thought of as a continuation of abnormal chromosome structure, which makes it quite easy to apply an inquiry approach to teaching it. Learn Genetics is a fantastic website run by The University of Utah's Health Science Division that has an extensive set of teacher resources for teaching genetics. Using the Chromosomal Abnormalities section of Learn Genetics, students can teach themselves about cases of abnormal chromosome numbers and their affects on function through self-directed research, either independently or in small groups. Approaching the lesson in this way also makes it easy to tier the lesson to the specific learning levels in the classroom. A worksheet can be provided for those who require more guidance and the website also offers links for further information in order to extend learning for higher learning levels. As well, in each particular section on types of chromosomal abnormalities, there are brief animations along with text and images to appeal to multiple intellegences.
Misconceptions Addressed:
a.Students often think genetic disorders are only a result of "faulty genes" from parents
Each section also provides an image and brief explanation of the karyotype associated with its particular abnormal chromosome number, which would make it possible to also introduce the concept and purpose of a karyotype after a brief follow-up discussion of student research. There are numerous karyotype activities on the internet that allow students to match chromosomal pairs and determine genetic disorders. Click below to be redirected to a fantastic karyotype activity that includes both standard karyotypes and ones with abnormal chromosome numbers courtesy of Biology Corner.
Abnormal chromosome number can really be thought of as a continuation of abnormal chromosome structure, which makes it quite easy to apply an inquiry approach to teaching it. Learn Genetics is a fantastic website run by The University of Utah's Health Science Division that has an extensive set of teacher resources for teaching genetics. Using the Chromosomal Abnormalities section of Learn Genetics, students can teach themselves about cases of abnormal chromosome numbers and their affects on function through self-directed research, either independently or in small groups. Approaching the lesson in this way also makes it easy to tier the lesson to the specific learning levels in the classroom. A worksheet can be provided for those who require more guidance and the website also offers links for further information in order to extend learning for higher learning levels. As well, in each particular section on types of chromosomal abnormalities, there are brief animations along with text and images to appeal to multiple intellegences.
Misconceptions Addressed:
a.Students often think genetic disorders are only a result of "faulty genes" from parents
Each section also provides an image and brief explanation of the karyotype associated with its particular abnormal chromosome number, which would make it possible to also introduce the concept and purpose of a karyotype after a brief follow-up discussion of student research. There are numerous karyotype activities on the internet that allow students to match chromosomal pairs and determine genetic disorders. Click below to be redirected to a fantastic karyotype activity that includes both standard karyotypes and ones with abnormal chromosome numbers courtesy of Biology Corner.
Debrief:
A great way to check for understanding would be to have students watch the following video courtesy of Youtube and then have had in an exit card that answers the following question:
A great way to check for understanding would be to have students watch the following video courtesy of Youtube and then have had in an exit card that answers the following question:
"Based on the name of the genetic disorder (Trisomy 13), what do you think the karyotype of this newborn boy would look like"?
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