Case Study: Huntington’s disease (HD)

Curriculum Link > Biology 12

Protein Synthesis
    • Explain how mutations in DNA affect protein synthesis

What is the case study about?
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.

Using the case study in the classroom

• This case study requires background knowledge of genetic mutations, pedigrees, and dominant inheritance.
• This case study can be used to enrich the Biology 12 curriculum.  It can also be used with the IB (International Baccalaureate) and AP (Advanced Placement) Biology curricula.
• Students can complete the case study independently.  This could be carried out as a classroom or homework activity.
• Students can also work in pairs to complete their case study.  
  • Note: If you are planning to have students complete other case studies found on this website, you can always assign student pairs different cases.  This will allow student pairs to focus on their own case study and then learn about the other cases when they are presented by their peers.
• This case study could also be used as a preview activity for a larger project.
  • For example, students may do a research project on the specific mutations that causes HD and the resulting phenotypes.

• Student worksheet
• Teacher key and notes

Helpful Links

• For more information on Huntington’s disease, please visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s website. Go to www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/detail_huntington.htm for more information.

Additional Resources

• For additional information on dominant inheritance, check out our article called “Dominant Inheritance” found in the articles sections of this website.