Genes and Disease Self-Paced

Course Essential Questions

• How do genetic information and cellular processes interact to influence health and disease?
• How do genetic inheritance and environmental factors contribute to the development of disease?
• How can biotechnology be used to understand, diagnose and treat genetic diseases?

Course Learning Objectives

• Apply the fundamental principles of genetics to predict inheritance patterns of disease.
• Identify and evaluate the impact the environment has on genes and disease.
• Explain how biotechnology can be used to diagnose and treat genetic diseases.

Unit 1: The Fundamentals of Genetics (Topics 1-5)

Unit Level Essential Questions [for full year non-AP courses and if applicable for semester courses]

• How do disruptions to cell structure and function cause disease?
• What controls gene expression?
• How can we predict the inheritance of traits?

Topic 1: Cell Biology

Learning Objectives

• Identify the main organelles and their functions.
• Research and analyze genetic milestones in history.
• Define medical terms as they relate to genes and disease.
• Differentiate between DNA and RNA

Topic 2: The Cell Cycle

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the significance of cycles.
• Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.
• Explain how errors in cell division can lead to diseases.
• Evaluate the significance of HeLa cells to our understanding of genes and disease

Topic 3: The Genetic Code

Learning Objectives

• Explain what is meant by the genetic code.
• Transcribe and translate a gene to produce an amino acid sequence.
• Identify and describe the three different types of point mutations.
• Use sickle cell anemia or lactose intolerance to explain gene expression.
• Describe the structure and function of proteins.
• Identify disorders or diseases associated with protein malfunction.

Topic 4: Simple Inheritance

Learning Objectives

• Identify and analyze the outcomes of the Human Genome Project.
• Explain the basic principles of Mendelian Inheritance.
• Use Punnet Squares and math probabilities to predict the inheritance of traits.
• Explain and identify inheritance patterns by creating and analyzing Pedigree Charts.

Topic 5: Complex Inheritance

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate and identify complex inheritance traits
• Predict the outcome of complex traits (incomplete dominance, etc)
• Create a pedigree from a case study.
• Analyze a pedigree to determine inheritance patterns and identify carriers of genetic disorders

Unit 2: Gene Abnormalities (Topics 6-8)

Unit Level Essential Questions:

• What factors can lead to genetic abnormalities that result in disease?

Topic 6: Single Gene Disorders: Autosomal Dominant

Learning Objectives

• Analyze patterns in complex inheritance data.
• Apply our understanding of autosomal dominance inheritance to case studies through pedigree creation and analysis.
• Identify autosomal dominant diseases.
• Take a Unit 1 Exam

Topic 7: Single Gene Disorders: Autosomal Recessive

Learning Objectives

• Analyze a genetic dilemma
• Apply our understanding of autosomal recessive inheritance to case studies through pedigree creation and analysis.
• Identify autosomal recessive diseases.

Topic 8: Sex-linked traits

Learning Objectives

• Analyze a genetic dilemma
• Apply our understanding of sex-linked inheritance to case studies through pedigree creation and analysis.
• Identify sex-linked diseases.

Unit 3: Chromosomal Disorders (Topics 9-11)

Unit Level Essential Questions

• What role do chromosome variations play in the development of disease?

Topic 9: Variations in Chromosome Number

Learning Objectives:

• Research prenatal screening and the ethical questions that surround the testing.
• Identify and explain how chromosome numbers can vary.
• Explain the impact of variations in chromosome number.
• Identify variations in chromosome number on a karyotype.
• Take a quiz to demonstrate understanding of Unit 2 concepts.

Topic 10: Variations in Chromosome Structure

Learning Objectives:

• Research chimeras.
• Identify and explain how chromosome structure can change.
• Explain the impact of mutations.
• Identify disorders caused by chromosome mutations.
• Research and explain mosaicism and compare it to chimerism.

Topic 11: Linked Genes

Learning Objectives:

• Explain what is meant by linked genes.
• Calculate the recombination frequencies of linked genes.
• Create a chromosome map.
• Conduct a lab to demonstrate crossing over.
• Identify and describe genetic disorders.

Unit 4: Epigenetics and the Future (Topics 12-15)

Unit Essential Questions

• How do genes and environmental factors interact to contribute to complex diseases?
• How are emerging genetic technologies transforming our understanding of heredity, disease, and the potential for medical intervention?

Topic 12: Epigenetics

Learning Objectives

• Analyze data and draw conclusions about recombinant frequency and chromosome mapping.
• Identify and explain epigenetic mechanisms that can cause disease.
• Differentiate between our genome and epigenome.
• Explain and provide examples of genomic imprinting.
• Identify and describe genetic disorders caused by epigenetic changes.

Topic 13: Cancer

Learning Objectives

• Research and identify myths about things that cause cancer. Support your claims with scientific research.
• Explain the genes responsible for controlling the cell cycle.
• Analyze the implications of mutations in the genes that control the cell cycle.
• Identify and explain the genetic basis and epigenetic factors involved in cancer.

Topic 14: Detection and Treatment

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the ethical and legal considerations of genetic technologies.
• List and describe gene editing, gene therapy, and genetic testing options.
• Explain the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic technologies.
• Evaluate the impact of personalized medicine on the future of healthcare.
• Study for the final exam.

Topic 15: The Future of Genetics

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the impact of personalized medicine on the future of healthcare.
• Compare our chromosomes and reflect on the project.
• Reflect on course experience
• Take a final exam to demonstrate understanding of content and skills
• Provide feedback to VHS Learning