A
SICKLE CELL POSTER ACTIVITY:
Vocabulary needed:
 Genes- Nucleotide sequences in DNA that code for proteins
 Allele- 2 forms of the gene (one allele inherited from mom, and the other from dad during fertilization of sexual
reproduction). In the example below “S” is the letter that represents the allele for hemoglobin. “S” = normal
hemoglobin protein, “s” = abnormal (mutated) hemoglobin protein.
S
Fertilization
s
S
Mom



Dad
s
S
s
Phenotype- Physical characteristic. Example, normal hemoglobin versus abnormal hemoglobin
Genotype- Genetic make-up (2 copies of the alleles). Example, SS, Ss, ss
Inheritance- You pass down one copy of every allele to your offspring. If your genotype is Ss, there is a 50%
chance your offspring will receive S from you and a 50% chance they will receive s from you.
*Read the packet and follow the instructions to create the poster. Then do the analysis paragraph below.
Analysis
Write out the paragraph below which explains sickle cell disease. Fill in the blanks with the answers you learned
in the activity. Underline your answers.
The 2nd column lists and compares the DNA sequence between a person with sickle cell disease and a person without
sickle cell disease. After examining the two sequences, it is apparent that a _____1______ mutation has occurred. The 3 rd
column identifies the mRNA strand that formed in ________2_________ (the first step of protein synthesis) as a result of
the DNA code. ___3________ molecules brought amino acids to the mRNA strand located on the ______4________ to
form the _______5___________ protein. This protein is different between an individual with sickle cell and a person
without sickle cell in that the amino acid _______6__________ was replaced with _____7________.The hemoglobin
protein in found in _______8_________ cells and is responsible for carrying _______9_______ to the cells of the body.
The difference in amino acid sequence led to a difference in ____10________ for the hemoglobin molecule once under
low oxygen conditions. As a result, the defective proteins _____11_____ together forming rods. These rods cause the red
blood cell to _______12_________. The medical implications of this is that a person will experience symptoms such as
____________13______________________________________________________________________________.
B
SICKLE CELL POSTER ACTIVITY:
Vocabulary needed:
 Genes- Nucleotide sequences in DNA that code for proteins
 Allele- 2 forms of the gene (one allele inherited from mom, and the other from dad during fertilization of sexual
reproduction). In the example below “S” is the letter that represents the allele for hemoglobin. “S” = normal
hemoglobin protein, “s” = abnormal (mutated) hemoglobin protein.
S
Fertilization
s
S
Mom



Dad
s
S
s
Phenotype- Physical characteristic. Example, normal hemoglobin versus abnormal hemoglobin
Genotype- Genetic make-up (2 copies of the alleles). Example, SS, Ss, ss
Inheritance- You pass down one copy of every allele to your offspring. If your genotype is Ss, there is a 50%
chance your offspring will receive S from you and a 50% chance they will receive s from you.
*Read the packet and follow the instructions to create the poster. Then do the analysis paragraph below.
Analysis
Write a paragraph that describes what’s happening in sickle cell disease as if you are teaching it to a young child
(~7-10 years old). Feel free to draw pictures/ diagrams to help you explain. Be sure to include the following:









What is hemoglobin?
What is sickle cell disease?
Describe the behavior of normal hemoglobin when oxygen levels are low
Describe the behavior of mutated hemoglobin when oxygen levels are low
Describe the shape of red blood cells with normal hemoglobin
Describe the shape of red blood cells with mutated hemoglobin
Describe blood flow in people with normal hemoglobin
Describe the blood flow in people with mutated hemoglobin (sickle cell disease)
Describe the medical problems associated with mutated hemoglobin
C
SICKLE CELL POSTER ACTIVITY:
Vocabulary needed:
 Genes- Nucleotide sequences in DNA that code for proteins
 Allele- 2 forms of the gene (one allele inherited from mom, and the other from dad during fertilization of sexual
reproduction). In the example below “S” is the letter that represents the allele for hemoglobin. “S” = normal
hemoglobin protein, “s” = abnormal (mutated) hemoglobin protein.
S
Fertilization
s
S
Mom



Dad
s
S
s
Phenotype- Physical characteristic. Example, normal hemoglobin versus abnormal hemoglobin
Genotype- Genetic make-up (2 copies of the alleles). Example, SS, Ss, ss
Inheritance- You pass down one copy of every allele to your offspring. If your genotype is Ss, there is a 50%
chance your offspring will receive S from you and a 50% chance they will receive s from you.
*Read the packet and follow the instructions to create the poster. Then do the analysis paragraph below.
Analysis
You are a Doctor who is diagnosing a patient with sickle cell disease. Write a letter to your patient describing
their diagnosis. Use letter format. Be sure to include the following:






Explain to them how they genetically received this disease.
Explain what happens during normal transcription and translation of the hemoglobin protein.
Explain how the above processes are different when the hemoglobin gene is mutated (be specific).
Explain the shape of their red blood cells (versus normal red blood cells) and WHY they are shaped this
way.
Explain the medical implications of having sickle cell disease.
Explain their chances of passing this genetic condition to their offspring.