Blood Disorders

This worksheet was created for advanced biology students to practice using Punnett squares and comparing different types of mutations that affect the blood.

The worksheet explores sickle cell disease as a codominant trait caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for hemoglobin where individuals who receive two alleles have the disorders

Students then examine Von Willebrand Disease hemophilia as a sex linked disorder and practice making predictions with Punnett squares. A short description and a link explain that in both cases the mutation occurs in proteins responsible for blood clotting, though hemophilia is sex-linked and VWD is associated with a gene on chromosome 12. Finally, students explore beta thalassemia which is similar to sickle cell disease because it is a mutation of the HBB gene which changes the shape of blood cells and their efficiency.

The goal of this worksheet is not only to practice making predictions and using Punnett squares but to also show the link between chromosome mutations and human disease. The final question asks students to determine which disorders are most similar and what they all have in common.

One Response

  1. samm

Leave a Reply