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B.3 Lesson 10 Assessment Genetics Transfer Task

This document discusses genetic testing and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It presents a case study of a boy named José who visited the doctor due to digestive issues and was sent for genetic testing to check for lactose intolerance and celiac disease, which his father has. It also discusses a woman named Victoria who underwent genetic testing and was found to have variants associated with increased AMD risk. While her current risk is low, she may develop AMD later in life due to both genetic and environmental factors. Diet has been associated with AMD risk, and data showing differences in diet between countries would best support the claim that diet causes AMD.

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1K views

B.3 Lesson 10 Assessment Genetics Transfer Task

This document discusses genetic testing and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It presents a case study of a boy named José who visited the doctor due to digestive issues and was sent for genetic testing to check for lactose intolerance and celiac disease, which his father has. It also discusses a woman named Victoria who underwent genetic testing and was found to have variants associated with increased AMD risk. While her current risk is low, she may develop AMD later in life due to both genetic and environmental factors. Diet has been associated with AMD risk, and data showing differences in diet between countries would best support the claim that diet causes AMD.

Uploaded by

kneal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________

Genetics Transfer Task

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people getting genetic tests in the past few years.
Figures 1 and 2 above report how many requests and payments have been made to and by Medicare, the
government healthcare system.

In this task, you will investigate the following question:


What are these genetic tests for and what information can they provide us?

Part 1: Genetic tests with a family history


There are different types of genetic tests. Some tests are designed to look for a specific gene or genes.
Usually, people get these kinds of tests when a certain genetic condition is known to be in their family. In the
scenario below, you will investigate a case study of José, whose doctor sent him to get a genetic test.

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José is a 15-year-old biological male who has been having problems with feeling sick after he eats. He visited
the doctor several times. José’s father has both lactose intolerance, which keeps him from digesting dairy
products, and celiac disease, which keeps him from digesting wheat. His doctor sent him to get a genetic test
to find out if he inherited either of these conditions from his father. This information can help him adjust his
diet so he can feel better.
There are two genes on chromosome 2 that code for proteins that are associated with digesting milk (lactase)
and wheat (celiac).

Traits Allele Versions

Lactose Intolerance Lactase 1 Lactase 2


Problems digesting dairy No problems Problems digesting
digesting dairy dairy

Celiac Disease Celiac 3 Celiac 4


Problems digesting wheat No problems Problems digesting
digesting wheat wheat

Consider the pedigree below showing chromosome 2 for José and his parents.

Figure 4. A family pedigree showing Lactase and Celiac alleles on chromosome 2.

1. Without mutation or crossing over, write the combinations of Lactase and Celiac that José could
inherit from his parents.

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2. José’s doctor tells him that he has inherited BOTH Celiac 4 and Lactase 2. Explain using pictures
and/or words what could have caused this.

Part 2: Genetic tests without a family history


Some people get genetic tests even when they do not have a history of a genetic condition in their family. In
this case, Victoria bought a genetic test from a company that would analyze her genome for 14 health
concerns, including Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the
most common cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults. The disease results in damage to the
central part of the retina, impairing vision needed for reading, driving, or even recognizing faces.
According to the genetic testing company, they test for the two most common variants associated with an
increased risk of developing AMD. When Victoria gets her results back, it says both of the genetic variants
they tested for are present. It also says that “People with this result have a slightly increased risk of developing
AMD. Lifestyle and other factors can also affect your risk.” Currently, Victoria’s risk is low; however, it is possible
for Victoria to be diagnosed with AMD later in life. Choose one of the claims below. Support this claim with
evidence that could explain how Victoria could get AMD.

3. Circle one:

Claim 1: Victoria gets AMD caused by random mutation

Claim 2: Victoria gets AMD caused by exposure to the environment.

Provide evidence to support your claim below. Use pictures and/or words.

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The number of people with AMD varies around the world. While genetics determine many cases of AMD,
other factors are associated with increased and decreased risk of AMD. Figure 5 below shows a high rate of
AMD in some European countries.

Data source: Zou, M., et al. (2021).

Factors associated with Factors associated with


increased risk decreased risk

● age ● increased fish in diet


● blood pressure ● certain vitamins, such as
● smoking C, D, and E
● alcohol consumption
4. While these factors are correlated with AMD, we do not have evidence that they cause or prevent AMD.
Choose the evidence below that would best support the following claim: Diet causes AMD.

A. Data that shows the ages of people in each country.


B. Data that show the mechanism that causes the interaction between AMD and diet.
C. Data that shows how many people live in each country.
D. Data that shows what people eat in each country.

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References
Zou, M., Zhang, Y., Chen, A., Young, C. A., Li, Y., Zheng, D., & Jin, G. (2021). Variations and trends in global
disease burden of age-related macular degeneration: 1990-2017. Acta Ophthalmologica, 99(3), e330-e335.
https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.14589

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