How to be a Breast Cancer Detective.

From Inside Cancer Wiki

Revision as of 15:45, 29 July 2008 by Susie07 (Talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search

How to be a Breast Cancer Detective.

To use this template, click edit, then copy the content of in the edit window box to the edit window of your new lesson. You can then edit as needed. Please do not save changes to a new lesson in this page.

Lesson Overview

Briefly describe the lesson here.

The lesson begins with interpreting familial pedigree charts and continues with steps in the identification of the genes responsible for some breast cancers. It continues with gene analysis and identification of the mutations through bioinformatics techniques.


Goals and Objectives 1) understand the process by which genes of parents are transferred to their offspring. 2) understand the difference between a dominant and recessive trait and understand how the presence of a trait may effect the physical characteristics of an individual. 3) read and/or construct a pedigree chart mapping a specific trait in a family. 4) determine the probability of a certain phenotype being expressed in an individual.

Common Misconceptions

Describe any common misconceptions this lesson may address



The Lesson

Preparation Before class: (materials, handouts etc.) Part 1. Introduction to Pedigree charts (handout)Highlighters, pens, pencils, books, chalkboard, and 1 computer with LCD projector and sound system Part 2: Computer classroom; one computer per student, LCD projector,sound system

During class Begin by using PowerPoint presentation

Mary Claire king: Finding brca1 and 2 by pedigree- http://www.dnai.org/media/a/king296¬04.swf

Time required

Estimate the amount of time for each part of the lesson.

Student Handouts for the Lesson Plan

Describe any handouts and provide links to documents that include the handouts. Remember to upload the handouts to the wiki before linking to them.

Alternative Assessments

Describe any alternative activities or assessments you may have developed.

Suggestions for Extended Learning

• Webster K Cavenee and Raymond L. White, “The Genetic Basis of Cancer,” Scientific American, March 1995. • Robert Cooke, Dr. Folkman’s War: Angiogenesis and the Struggle to Defeat Cancer • Jerome Groopman, “The Thirty Years’ War,” The New Yorker (June 4, 2001) • Matt Ridley, Chapter 17 in Genome: Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters • Robert Weinberg, One Renegade Cell • Lisa Yount, Cancer • Time and Newsweek cover articles on cancer topics • American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org • National Cancer Institute: http://www.nci.nih.gov • National Childhood Cancer Foundation: http://www.nccf.org • Oncolink: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu • NOVA’s program on Judah Folkman, Cancer Warrior: http://pbs.org/wgbh/ nova/cancer


Glossary Allele—an alternate form of a gene. Chromosome—structure in the cell nucleus that stores and transmits genetic information. Gene—unit of heredity. Genotype—Allelic status of an organism for a genetic trait. Heterozygous—having different alleles of a gene. Homozygous—having indistinguishable alleles of a gene. Pedigree—diagram showing the expression of a specific characteristic and the biological relationships among members of a family, often of several generations. Phenotype—the observable organism, the expression of a genetic trait.



Education Standards

Please align your lesson plan with any education standards that apply.

Teacher Answer Key

Include a teacher answer key when applicable.

Personal tools