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Those Old Kentucky Blues

An Interrupted Case Study

By Celeste A. Leander, Robert J. Huskey

Those Old Kentucky Blues


 

Abstract

This interrupted case study begins with the construction of a pedigree following an initial encounter with a clan of “blue people.” After constructing a pedigree, students decide whether the condition (methemoglobinemia) is a heritable trait. Students are then exposed to a different perspective of this condition and have to re-evaluate the inheritance pattern. This case study was written for a first year honors course in general biology. It could be modified for most general science majors’ biology, genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology courses.

   

Date Posted

03/04/2008

Overview

Objectives

  • Hypothesis generation.
  • Pedigree construction and analysis.
  • Evaluation of inheritance patterns.
  • Reconciliation of changing inheritance patterns, depending on perspective.

Keywords

Mendelian inheritance patterns; phenotype; incomplete dominance; pedigree; skin color; enzyme; hemoglobin; methemoglobinemia; Kentucky; Appalachian Mountains

  

Subject Headings

Biochemistry
Biology (General)
Cell Biology
Genetics / Heredity

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Scientific method

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Interrupted

 

 

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