Lab:

Karyotypes
Group: 405 Team: 6
Garcia & Marcelo Isassi

Names: Regina Alvarez, Mariana De La Garza, Fernando

Introduction:
We all know that all children inherit physical characteristics from their parents. For this
reason they have similar hair and eye color, height and other characteristics that are
transmitted by the genes, molecules that determine theses characteristics. Genes form part of
the chromosomes that are composed of DNA. All individuals of the same species have the
same number of chromosomes. In humans, the total number of chromosomes is 46. A
karyotype is a visual display of the chromosomes, arranged by size, shape and banding
patterns. In a karyotype, the first 22 pairs are ordered according to size from largest to
smallest and are called autosomes. The last pair of chromosomes, the sex chromosomes
determines the gender of the individual, where XX results in a female and XY results in a male.
However, during meiosis, mistakes can occur that result in cells with abnormal numbers of
chromosomes. Various human disorders result from abnormal chromosome number or
structure. Such disorders often result in a syndrome, which is a group of symptoms that
always occur together. In this activity, you will learn how to diagnose chromosomal
abnormalities using a karyotype.
Materials:
1. A copy of the activity
2. Karyotypes
3. Access to internet

Instructions:

1. This activity is done in collaborative teams of 4 students.

2. Using the karyotype that you are given, answer the following analysis questions:
a) How many autosomes are present in this karyotype?
1. It has 22 autosomes, and the 21st has a trisomy
2. 22
3. 22
4. 22

b) Is this person male or female? How do you know?

1.
2.
3.
4.

Its a female because it has the double X chromosomes

It is female
Female
Both

c) Is this person normal or does he or she present a chromosomal disorder.

Explain your answer.
1. The person presents a chromosomal disorder because in the 21st autosome you
can see the trisomy.
2. It has Turner syndrome
3. It does not have a disorder
4. It presents Klinefelter syndrome

d) If this person has a chromosomal disorder, in which chromosome pair is it

found?
1.
2.
3.
4.

21st
23th (X)
Normal
23th

e) If this is the case, identify which chromosomal disorder is present.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Down syndrome
Turner
Normal
Klinefelter

f) Define the following terms: Deletion and non-disjunction.

Deletion: The absence of a section of genetic material from a gene or chromosome
Non-disjunction: The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to
separate subsequent to metaphase in meiosis or mitosis so that one daughter cell has
both and the other neither of the chromosomes

References:
Deletion. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2014. <http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/deletion>

Non-disjunction. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2014. <http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/nondisjunction>

Evaluation:
Criteria

Analysis questions

Student answered
all 6 questions
correctly

Student answered
4-5 questions
correctly

Student answered
2- 3 questions
correctly

Team work

Students brought
materials

Students did not

bring materials

Task completion

Student finished the

activity on time

Student did not

finish the activity
on time