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The Genetics of Sickle Cell Anemia and Sickle Cell Trait – How One Gene Affects Multiple Characteristics

In this activity, students analyze information about the molecular and cellular basis for sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait. This provides the basis for understanding how a single gene can affect multiple phenotypic characteristics.

Students also create a Punnett square, analyze a pedigree, and evaluate the relative advantages of Punnett squares and pedigrees as models of inheritance.

The Teacher Notes include several optional questions which apply student understanding of the biology of sickle cell trait to practical and policy issues.



The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in online instruction and distance learning. The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

AttachmentSize
Genetics sickle cell anemia SH.docx1.17 MB
Genetics sickle cell anemia SH.pdf392.99 KB
Genetics sickle cell anemia TN.docx214.54 KB
Genetics sickle cell anemia TN.pdf558.97 KB
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Serendip Visitor's picture

Answer key!

Submitted by Serendip Visitor (guest) on Tue, 02/28/2023 - 12:13pm.

where is the answer key?

iwaldron's picture

Answer key

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 9:23am.

As explained in the Teacher Notes, you need to write me to get the answer key. Please read the Teacher Notes for additional information. The key is confidential, for teachers only.
Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

2022 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Mon, 02/07/2022 - 11:07am.

The Student Handout has been revised and reorganized with increased emphasis on analyzing the molecular and cellular effects of the sickle cell and normal hemoglobin alleles to understand how two alleles of a single gene can have multiple different phenotypic effects. The Teacher Notes have additional information about the relevant biology and an expanded optional section of questions concerning practical applications of understanding the biology of sickle cell trait.
Ingrid

Ann Dixon's picture

Latest experimental gene therapy for sickle cell

Submitted by Ann Dixon on Wed, 12/09/2020 - 11:04am.

View a video about Helen Obando, a 16 year old undergoing experimental gene therapy for sickle cell, and read her inspiring story, from the New York Times.

Edit: Unfortunately, the video is only available to NYT subscribers, but the story is freely available.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To preserve the value of these learning activities for other teachers, please do not post keys for any questions from any of these activities!

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Authors

Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, who is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and middle school and high school teachers in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful to Craig Douglas for his generous help with graphics.

 

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