Genetic Disorder Project

Western Sierra Collegiate Academy

7th grade Life ScienceGenetic Disorder______

The essential question for this project is “What are genetic disorders”? A genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individual’s DNA. Find the following information and take notes:

  1. What is the name of the disorder that you are researching?
  1. What category of genetic disorders does this disorder fit into (single gene defect, multifactorial defect, mitochondrial disorder or chromosome abnormalities)
  1. What chromosome or gene is causing the disorder?
  1. In great detail, describe the symptoms of the disorder.
  1. How long to people usually live with this disorder? (What is the life expectancy?)
  1. Describe how the disorder is inherited. Is it a recessive or dominant trait?
  2. Is this disorder more likely to occur in certain populations?
  3. Are there environmental factors or influences?

Include any other interesting facts that you learned about the disorder.

  1. Make a drawing of how the disorder is inherited, such as a Punnett square or pedigree chart, if this is possible.
  1. There are no cures for genetic disorders. Why?
  1. Describe any treatment that might be available for the disorder you are researching. What is the status of research on the disease? This information could also include therapy or ways the individual with the disorder adapts.
  1. List your references.
  1. Now you have done your research. Imagine that you have just been diagnosed with this disorder. Think of YOUR daily life and what you do. How would it be different if you had this disorder? Write a 2 paragraph essay explaining what it would be like to live with this disorder.
  1. Prepare a brief 2 minute presentation for the class that includes most of what you researched. Notecards will be allowed for the presentation.

The following websites may be useful.

The Genetic Science Learning Center is a useful source to obtain information on genetic disorders. At this site, click on the “Learn.Genetics”. Scroll down to “Human Genetics” section to find resourses.

Medline Plus provides information about a wide range of medical issues. It has a user-friendly platform and can be searched a variety of ways. Its intended audience is the general public.

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

This site from a National Institutes of Health affiliate provides information on genetics, inherited disease research, genetics and rare diseases, online resources, and the ethical, legal, and social issues related to genetic research. There is also information on grant funding, careers and training, educational resources. Users may submit questions about clinical genetics and genetic diseases via e-mail or telephone and look

at the FAQs for answers to basic questions.

Google.com

Search for your specific genetic disorder. Please stay away from Wikipedia and other non-research based websites.