Curriculum Link > Biology 12

Prescribed Learning Outcome

Protein Synthesis: Explain how mutations in DNA affect protein synthesis
All of the case studies can be used to enrich the Biology 12 curriculum, even though genetics and inheritance are not covered in most Biology 12 classrooms.  They can be used to introduce genetics and to highlight different diseases covered in other parts of the Biology curriculum, such as heart disease and anemia.  

These case studies can also be used with the IB (International Baccalaureate) and AP (Advanced Placement) Biology curricula. Most case studies require background knowledge of pedigrees, genetic mutations and the different types of inheritance, which are topics often covered in these advanced courses.

Case studies on the following genetic diseases are available to use in the classroom.

• Marfan’s syndrome
• Colon cancer
• Hemophilia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Apolipoprotein
• Heart Disease
• Huntington’s disease

Case Study Summaries

The following are summaries of the case studies that are available on this website.  Please note that there are prepared student questions and teacher answer keys provided with each study.

Marfan’s Syndrome
In this case study, students will uncover a family’s genetic history and their link to Marfan’s disease.  Students will also review the types of inheritance and learn about the phenotypic features of this disease as they complete the questions included with the case study.

Colon Cancer
In this case study, students will uncover a family’s genetic history and the family’s susceptibility to hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC.)  Students will also discover the pattern of inheritance and the genotype of the disease as they complete the questions included with the case study.

Hemophilia
In this case study, students will uncover a family’s inheritance pattern of hemophilia.  Students will also apply their knowledge of sex-linked inheritance to make predictions in their pedigree analysis.  

Sickle Cell Anemia
In this case study, students will uncover a family’s inheritance pattern of sickle cell anemia.  Students will also apply their knowledge of autosomal recessive inheritance to make predictions regarding the family’s pedigree analysis.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia
In this case study, students will analyze a pedigree to uncover a family’s history and susceptibility to FH.  Students will also determine the genotype of family members and the inheritance pattern of the disease as they answer the questions in the case study.

Apolipoprotein
In this case study, students will learn about one of the genetic links to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and Alzheimer’s disease.  Students will analyze information to determine the possible phenotypes of a family and they will also perform a Punnett square analysis.  

Heart Disease
In this case study, students will learn about the genetic and environmental links to heart disease.  Students will analyze a family’s pedigree to look for a pattern of inheritance of heart disease as well as noting the potential that the environment has on the onset of heart disease.

Huntington’s disease
In this case study, students will analyze a family’s pedigree and their susceptibility to HD.  Students will analyze the pedigree to determine the pattern of inheritance as well as answer questions regarding the ethics of genetic testing.