IB Biology: The Inheritance of Genetic Disorders Project
Background: How do genetic disorders or conditions occur? Does a single mutation, a mutation in one gene, or
even a whole chromosome cause the disorder? Genetic disorders can affect many different aspects of human
development: mental or intellectual development, height, the nervous system, and even gender.
Sometimes during meiosis, there is an error called nondisjunction, in which the chromosomes fail to separate
properly. Nondisjunction can results in other combination of an individual’s chromosomes, including the sex
chromosomes. If the autosomes are affected (pairs #1-22), disorders such as Down Syndrome may result.
When the sex chromosomes are involved, the new combinations can affect gender development in a variety of
ways.
PURPOSE:
In this activity, you will be exploring the process of how genetic disorders are inherited and how they develop.
You will focus on a specific genetic condition and research how that particular condition shapes an individual.
VOCABULARY:
Autosomal: refers to a trait whose gene is located on an autosome (non-sex chromosome)
Meiosis: cell division that produces egg cell or sperm cells with half the chromosomes of a body cell.
Mutation: a chemical change in a gene, resulting in a new allele; or a change in the portion of a chromosome
that regulates the gene (controls when a gene should make its protein).
Nondisjunction: failure of chromosomes to separate properly during one of the stages of meiosis
Sex-linked or X-linked: refers to a trait whose gene is located on the X-chromosome
Syndrome: set of symptoms that typically occur together
PROCEDURE:
1. You will be assigned one genetic disorder. (See list on back)
2. Research your particular disorder using your biology textbook, the Internet (ygyh.org, March of Dimes
website, www.healthweb.org, college/university researchers’ websites, etc. – do not depend on
Wikipedia). You are going to find information to answer the following questions:
a. How would you recognize this condition in a family member? (What physical and psychological
characteristics are associated with this genetic condition? (SYMPTOMS)
b. What is the genetic cause of this condition? (sex-linked, autosomal, recessive, dominant,
mutations, chromosomal abnormality, etc.) (CAUSE)
c. Are there any treatments for this condition? If yes, explain. Is there a way to prevent this
condition or minimize the effects of the genetic change? (TREATMENT)
d. Is there a way to screen individuals for this condition? (SCREENING)
e. What percentage of the population is thought to have this condition? Is it more common in
certain populations (ethnicity, region of the world)?
f. How has society interpreted these variant genetic conditions? (Are individuals with this
condition accepted by society, shunned, institutionalized, teased, etc.)
3. Create a Bibliography with a minimum of 3 sources and you MUST cite sources for any pictures or
diagrams that you use.
4. Use the information and pictures and diagrams you have researched to design a brochure using
Microsoft Word or Publisher. In Word, click on File  New and then click on the “Brochure” button.
Choose a trifold brochure.
5. Make 2 copies of your brochure. One for you to turn in and one to be posted on the walls of the
classroom.
GRADING:
Student Name: __________________________________ Genetic Condition: _____________________
Component
Pts
possible
Symptoms
5
Genetic Cause
5
Treatment
5
Test or Screening
5
Percentage of Population
5
Societal Issues
5
Bibliography
5
Grammar/Spelling
5
Neatness/Creativitiy
5
TOTAL POINTS
45
Pts
received
Genetic Disorders
Disorder
1. Turner’s Syndrome
2. Klinefelter’s Syndrome
3. Edwards Syndrome
4. Patau Syndrome
5. Prader-Willi Syndrome
6. Angelman Syndrome
7. Cri-du-chat
8. XYY Syndrome
9. Down Syndrome
10. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
11. Hemochromatosis
12. Xeroderma pigmentosum
13. Achondroplasia
14. Sickle Cell Anemia
15. Cystic Fibrosis
16. Tay Sachs Disease
17. Osteogenesis Imperfecta
18. Cockayne Syndrome
19. Phenylketonuria
20. Huntington’s Disease
21. Beta-Thalassemia
22. Marfan Syndrome
23. Neurofibromatosis
24. Gaucher disease
25. Fragile X syndrome
26. Kabuki syndrome
27. Hemophilia
Student Name