Genetic Disorders Research Project

Research Project Guidelines Create a research project that informs people about a specific genetic disorder. PRODUCT: can be a newsletter, brochure, or poster (created in a Google application) INCLUDE: > answers to the 8 questions below, > a minimum of 5 pictures. CHOICE: Your topic must be chosen from the list (or approved by the teacher). SOURCES: Use “Science in Context”; Cite your sources (using MLA format); 3 Sources (minimum)

Possible Genetic Disorders to Choose Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) Albinism (Albino) Marfan Syndrome (Growth) Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Polycystic Kidney Disease Cystic Fibrosis (Lung; digest) Progeria (Rapid aging) Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) Proteus Syndrome (Growth) Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Muscle degen.) Retinoblastoma (Eye cancer) Sickle Cell Anemia (Blood) Hemophilia (Blood Clotting) Tay-Sachs Disease (Nerves) Huntington’s Disease (Brain degeneration) Tourette Syndrome (Neurological) Jacobsen’s Syndrome (Chromosome 11 deletion)

Genetic Disorders Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) Albinism growth hormone deficiency little or no color (pigment) in the skin, hair, and eyes

Genetic Disorders Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Cystic Fibrosis affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills mucus build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body

Genetic Disorders Down Syndrome Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Trisomy 21) Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46 muscle weakness, which quickly gets worse

Genetic Disorders Hemophilia Huntington’s Disease bleeding disorders, which makes it take a long time for the blood to clot nerve cells in certain parts of the brain waste away, or degenerate

Genetic Disorders Jacobsen’s Syndrome Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) caused by a loss of genetic material from chromosome 11 disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement

Genetic Disorders Marfan Syndrome Polycystic Kidney Disease connective tissue disorder many cysts form in the kidneys

Genetic Disorders Progeria Proteus Syndrome rapid aging in children overgrowth of the bones, skin, and other tissues

Genetic Disorders Retinoblastoma Sickle Cell Anemia rapidly developing cancer that develops in the cells of retinathat (usually develops in early childhood) blood cells form an abnormal sickle or crescent shape

Genetic Disorders Tay-Sachs Disease Tourette Syndrome progressively destroys nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics

Questions to Answer: What is this disorder? (give a description of the disorder) What are the signs/symptoms of this disorder? Is the disorder life threatening? How long can a person live with this disorder? Are there any medications or treatments (including gene therapy) available for someone with this disorder? Is there a cure for this disorder? How does one inherit this disorder? Who is most at risk for inheriting this disorder?

Additional Information to Include: Website that a person could visit to learn more about this disorder Pictures of karyotypes Punnett squares Names of notable people with the disorder

RESOURCES 1) From LHS Library Website STEPS TO FINDING sources 1) From LHS Library Website (www-lhs.beth.k12.pa.us Password: hurricanes) 2) Academics (click) 3) Library (click) 4) TAB: Databases Research Resources 5) Choose Box: “Science in Context”

Brochure Examples

Newsletter Examples