1. Genetic Disorders Research Project

2. 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)

3. 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)

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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”

16. Brochure Examples

17. Newsletter Examples