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What types of mutations cause more vs. less severe muscular dystrophy?

This analysis and discussion activity begins with a brief video presenting the anchoring phenomenon – a teenager who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Then, students investigate the types of deletion mutation that cause the more severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy vs. the milder Becker muscular dystrophy. During this analysis, students review transcription and translation, learn how to use a codon wheel, and analyze the molecular effects of different types of deletion and point mutations.

Finally, students investigate X-linked recessive mutations to understand why almost all Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients are male.

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in online instruction and distance learning. (For additional instructions, see https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/Googledocs, especially item 7.) The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

AttachmentSize
mutation SHO.docx3.4 MB
mutation SHO.pdf741.45 KB
mutationTN.docx1.39 MB
mutationTN.pdf466.36 KB

Comments

iwaldron's picture

2024 revision

I have changed the title to indicate the sharpened focus on the question, “What types cause more vs. less severe muscular dystrophy?” The explanations, questions and figures in the Student Handout have been updated and improved. The Teacher Notes have been revised with new information and clarified explanations.

Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

2020 revision

The Student Handout now begins with a video of a teenage boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy as an anchor phenomenon. Additional revisions and reorganization of the Student Handout will enhance student learning.

iwaldron's picture

2017 revision

In this revision, the Student Handout includes introductory questions that review relevant molecular biology and questions that help students understand how the process of translation provides the biological basis for the relationships shown in the codon wheel.

Serendip Visitor's picture

Thank you

This is just what I needed for a quick activity about mutations. Great site!

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