Lincoln-Way Central
High School

1801 East Lincoln Highway - New Lenox, IL 60451 - (815) 462-2100


 

Research Project: Mrs. Batson
Genetics


Directions Genetic Disorders Paper Research
Genetic Diseases and Mutations are responsible for causing a large number of illnesses in the human population. Many of these illnesses are fatal: some can be treated using medicines. Some genetic diseases can even be detected by genetic engineering techniques. Examples of such disorders include those in the following chart.
Directions
Choose a genetic disorder to research. Describe the disorder, how the disease is acquired, the symptoms, the possible effects, and treatments (if any). You might evaluate the benefits and dangers of testing the disorder through genetic counseling or prenatal testing (amniocentesis, chorionic villi sampling, and fetoscopy--be sure to explain what these are).
Examples of Genetic Diseases and Mutations
Klinefelter Syndrome Waardenburg Syndrome
Monosomy Multiple Sclerosis
Down's Syndrome Color blindness
Microcephaly Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Huntington Disease Trisomy 13
Polydactyly Cystic Fibrosis
Sickle-cell Anemia Spina bifida
Parkinson's Disease Hemophilia
Achondroplasia Trisomy 18
Fragile X Syndrome Turner Syndrome
Albinism Lou Gehrig's Disease
Muscular Dystrophy Chondrodystrophy
Lesch-Nyhan Disease Diabetes
Coronary Disease Tay Sachs Disease
Ushers Syndrome Alzheimer's
Krabbes Disease Williams Syndrome
Werners Syndrome
Paper
The research paper should be at least 1 page long. 
  • typed 
  • double-spaced 
  • 1-inch margins 
  • black ink only 
 The paper should include: 
  • 1 introductory paragraph describing your topic 
  • a body giving supporting information of 2 to 3 paragraphs 
  • concluding paragraph
You must also include a cover page and a reference page with 2 sources. See the Academic Planner and the Research Page on the Media Center's web page for information on documentation.
The paper will be a summary of your findings, not a copy of the sources you used. Copying will result in a grade of ZERO
You must use 2 sources 
  • 1 book or periodical 
  • a source from the computer 
Research
You will have 2 class days in the library to complete your research. You will have access to the Internet, Electronic databases, books, and periodicals. You will be expected to use your time wisely in the library. You will spend 1 class day on the computer and the other day using the print materials.
Reference Books

These specialized reference books can give you a basic understanding of your research topic: 
(Not all topics will be found in all of these books.)
 
R 616.003 DIS Diseases
R 616.003 GAL The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
R 6616.003 HUM Human Diseases and Conditions
R 616.003 SIC Sick!

 

 Search the Electronic Catalog for books and Internet sites about your topic. Use these subject headings in your search: 

Diseases
Genetic code
Genetic disorders
Genetic engineering
Genetics
 

 Databases

These databases will be helpful in locating current information about your topic:

EbscoHost: Full-text articles from general interest magazines and health periodicals. Be sure to check MAS Full Text Ultra and Health Source Plus before you begin your search. 

SIRS Researcher® provides thousands of full-text articles on a variety of social, scientific, health, historic, economic, business, political and global issues. 

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Last updated: April 22, 2005