Bio11
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2/18/16
Bio11 Case Study Presentations (30 pts)
For this assignment you will be working in groups of four. Each person will choose a case study
to research and present to their group. Your presentation should describe your case study and
answer the accompanying questions. The design of your presentation is up to you. You may use
posters, hand-outs, PowerPoints, etc.
I will collect the answers to your case study questions as well as your presentation materials.
Please include a list of the references (books, articles, websites) that you used when researching
your questions.
Your work will be assessed using the following criteria:
1. The quality of your answers to the case study questions (18 pts)
 Number your answers. Answers should be thorough and concise. They should only
address the question asked and not include extraneous information
 Each of your answers should be in essay form with complete sentences, proper
grammar, and correct spelling and punctuation.
2. The originality of your work.
 You will submit your answers to the case study questions through www.turnitin.com
(see instructions handed out in lab)
 No credit for copied or plagiarized work
3. Provide two references (2 pts)
 Be sure your sources are credible and reliable. Only use internet sites ending in .edu,
.gov and .org (they are more reliable than commercial sites, .com and .net).
 Please provide a properly cited list of references. Include the title, author and year of
publication (if known)
4. The quality of your presentation (5 pts)
 Include at least 3 scientific/medical illustrations
 I will collect your presentation materials
5. Peer review (5 pts)
 The students in your group will evaluate your presentation
**You will lose 10 pts if you miss the presentation
but turn in the answers to your case study questions**
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Bio11
CASE STUDY #1
2/18/16
BRCA genes and Breast Cancer
Maria was sitting in her OB-GYN’s office, having just been confronted with a dilemma.
Because her mother and several of her female relatives had developed breast cancer, she had
been advised to get genetically tested to determine if she had a mutation in one of the BRCA
genes.
1. What is a gene? How are genes inherited?
2. What is a genetic mutation? How does a genetic mutation alter a gene?
3. In general, what do genes code for? Specifically, what proteins do the BRCA genes code
for? What are their functions?
4. If the BRCA gene is mutated how does the function of these proteins change?
5. In what percent of breast cancers is a BRCA mutation found? If someone has a mutated
BRCA gene, what is their risk for developing breast cancer?
6. Is a BRCA mutation linked with any other cancers?
CASE STUDY #2
Stem cells and Corneal Transplants
Mitchell is discussing the possibility of a second corneal transplant with his doctor. He lost the
vision in his left eye as a child following an infection that damaged his cornea. His first corneal
transplant was initially successful, but failed after several months.
His doctor explained, "In the normal eye the epithelial cells of a cornea wear away through
ordinary eye movements and are replaced by new cells. Research has shown that adding freshly
harvested corneal stem cells to the eye prior to performing a corneal transplant increases the
chances that the transplant will last for 20 or more years.
Diagram the anatomy of the eye and locate the cornea.
What role does the cornea play in vision?
What is a stem cell? What is the difference between adult and embryonic stem cells?
How do stem cells normally function in the cornea?
How does the addition of stem cells to a corneal transplant increase the longevity of the
transplant?
6. How might stem cells be used in the treatment of disease? What are the sources for stem
cells used in research?
7. What are some major concerns with stem cell use?
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Bio11
CASE STUDY #3
2/18/16
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Jenna, a 12-year old girl, visited her doctor’s office because of weight loss, nausea, increased
thirst and increased urination. Her father has Type I diabetes mellitus, as does one of her
cousins. Physical exam reveals a thin, white female in no acute distress. Mucous membranes are
dry. Lab tests showed:
Blood glucose
Serum ketones
White blood cells
Hemoglobin
411
Positive
9,600
13.7
Normal values
(70‐150mg/dl)
(Negative)
(5,000‐10,000)
(11‐15)
The child was admitted to the hospital for 24 hours and given sub‐Q insulin and oral fluids. Over
the next 18 hours her blood glucose decreased to 140 mg/dl. She was discharged with
instructions for monitoring her blood glucose and a prescription for insulin.
What is glucose? What is glucose used for in cells?
What are ketones? When do their levels increase?
What is the cause of Type 1 diabetes mellitus?
Describe the action of the hormone insulin.
Why do people with diabetes mellitus lose weight and feel hungry despite having high
blood glucose levels?
6. How do Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes differ?
7. What are the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes?
8. Diet and lifestyle changes often stop the development of Type 2 diabetes, but
cannot stop the development of Type 1 diabetes? Explain why.
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CASE STUDY #4
Blood doping in athletes
Jeremy, an 18-year-old cycling representative in the Tour de France competition, just discovered
that his roommate has been taking synthetic EPO in order to "dope" his blood with extra red
blood cells. He’s seen several other cyclists using the drug during training and knows the severe
risks of taking the stimulant.
1. What is "blood doping?" What are various ways it can be done?
2. What is erythropoietin or EPO? Where is it produced in the body? Explain its metabolic
function.
3. Describe the anatomy of a red blood cell. What is the advantage of extra red blood cells
to an athlete?
4. What are the risks of taking EPO? If EPO occurs naturally in the body, why would taking
the synthetic form cause heart attacks or stroke?
5. How is pharmaceutical EPO manufactured? What are some legitimate uses of EPO?
6. How are athletes tested for blood doping?
7. If you were Jeremy, would you report your information to officials? Why or why not?