B03: Unit 3: Genetic Variation
Genetic Variation unit based on Boston City Lab Module “The Crooked Cell” Syllabus, Labs and Student Notes 3.
Lesson Plan 1
- Biotechnology Chemistry student notes on the basic structure of DNA, RNA and proteins (DNA sequencing ppt).
- Student Notes on Genetic Variation (Genetic Code ppt).
- Dr. Stefan Franzen’s Powerpoint on Sickle Cell Anemia (ppt).
- Video "Genetic Code" The Annenberg/CPB Collection, Distributor: Intellimation, p.o. Box 1922, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1922, Program 24 ISBN1-55946-235-3
Lesson Plan 2
- Student Notes on Genetic Variation continued.
- Activities based on the "Mystery of the Crooked Cell” from Boston University City Lab and UNC Chapel Hill Destiny Bus PMABS:a. Pedigree analysis
b. Punnett's Squares
c. Rolling the dice
Lesson Plan 3
- Four stations with introductory activities for sickle cell anemia
- Pour 0.8 % agarose gels for Protein electrophoresis in next class.
Lesson Plan 4
- Introduction to Protein electrophoresis using albumin and hemoglobin: Carolina Biological Supply kit # 68-9800
- Analyze protein gels.
Lesson Plan 5
- Run electrophoresis gels to analyze three patients for sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait, using a special order from Carolina Biological of the two proteins from the previous protein electrophoresis activity. (kit lab 68-9800)
- Analyze protein electrophoresis gels to determine which patient has Sickle Cell Anemia.
Lesson Plan 6.
- CD on Genetic Variation with worksheets from "Mystery of the Crooked Cell" module
Lesson Plan 7
- Video: "Marked for Life" (from NCBC Library) Dan Rather "60 Minutes"
Resources
Videos: MARKED FOR LIFE, 48 HOURS program, Ambrose Video Publishing Company, P.O. Box 2054, S. Burlington, VT 05407, 1994. (This video concerns genetic testing)
Activities:
Unit 3: Genetic Variation based on the "Mystery of the Crooked Cell: from Boston University City Lab"
- Lab 1: Introduction to Protein electrophoresis using albumin and hemoglobin: Carolina Biological Supply kit # 68-9800
- Activity 1: from "Mystery of the Crooked Cell: from Boston University City Lab and UNC Chapel Hill Destiny Bus PMABS:
- a. Pedigree analysis
- b. Punnett's Squares
- c. Rolling the dice
- Activity 2: Four stations with introductory activities for sickle cell anemia.
- Lab 2: Electrophoresis to analyze three patients for sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait, using a special order from Carolina Biological of the two proteins from the previous protein electrophoresis activity. (Kit lab 68-9800). [Set up three microfuge tubes: 1. Just hemoglobin gives one band on the gel representing normal homozygous hemoglobin, 2. Just albumin which gives one band representing homozygous for sickle cell trait, and 3. An equal mixture of hemoglobin and albumin which gives two different bands representing the heterozygous genotype of a person with sickle cell trait.
- Activity 3: CD on Genetic Variation with worksheets
Supplemental Information:
Biotechnology Student Notes
Unit III: Mutations and Genetic Variation
Key terms: Genetic variation, Evolution, Mutations: misread, deletions, insertions, Effects of mutations, Natural Selection
Sickle Cell Anemia, an example
- Symptoms of anemia: pale skin, weakness and fatigue (can be due to low iron, low number of RBCs or defective hemoglobin); Defective Hemoglobin causes sickle cell anemia.
- People with Sickle Cell Anemia go through many crises when exposed to low concentrations of oxygen caused by infection, dehydration, high altitude or overexertion. Low concentrations of oxygen induce the hemoglobin to deform the red blood cells to form a sickle shape that does not properly flow through arteries or veins resulting in a crisis. These crises are treated by blood transfusions, bed rest, and medications. Sickle Cell Anemia (a homozygous condition) occurs in one out of 400 African Americans. One out of ten African Americans are heterozygous for Sickle Cell Anemia i.e. have the Sickle Cell Anemia trait.
| Normal Hemoglobin |
Sickle Cell Hemoglobin |
| Hb-A |
Hb-S |
| 6th aa - valine |
6th aa- glutamic acid |
| 2 alpha chains |
2 alpha chains |
| 2 beta chains |
2 beta chains |
| globular shape of 4 chains |
globular shape of 4 chains |
| hold oxygen well |
does not hold oxygen well |
| RBCs last 120 days |
RBCs last 10 days |
Sickle Cell Anemia Effects
| Liver |
Bone Marrow |
| processes dead RBCs |
cannot make RBCs fast enough |
| overworked |
overworked, fewer RBC |
| too much billirubin produced resulting in gallstones |
|
References and Resources:
Lehninger, "Biochemistry"
Sheenan, M. "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology", University of Bath 16-19 Series, Nelson, 1994 ISBN 0 17 4482078
Barnum, Susan R. "Biotechnology" Kruezer, Helen, "Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology" Laboratory Resource Materials City Lab Curriculum from Boston University in conjunction with UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Biology
NIH Curriculum Supplement Series including Human Genetic Variation, Cell Biology and Cancer, The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology through the Study of Addiction
