Heat-map claim
Wed, Oct 28, 2026 · Week 10 · Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions)
Today's goal: Read a microarray heat map and write a claim that separates disease risk from disease diagnosis.
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Note: This is a parallel model on a different practice grid (Genes W, X, Y, Z), not the heat-map task you are doing today. Use it to see the CER format and depth, then build your own claim from your own values.
I sorted the four practice fold-change values (Gene W 3.5, Gene X 1.2, Gene Y 0.9, Gene Z 0.2) and shaded them darkest to lightest.
Claim: This practice sample shows an expression pattern consistent with elevated risk of the disease, driven by one strongly upregulated gene, but it does not confirm the disease.
Evidence: Gene W at 3.5 is far above 1 and stands alone after the biggest gap in the sort; Gene Z at 0.2 is strongly downregulated. Genes X and Y sit near 1 and carry no signal.
Reasoning: A gene far above 1 beside one far below 1 is the kind of pattern that raises the probability of disease, but one practice sample cannot tell a real pattern from noise; that takes replicate measurements of the same genes in more samples. It stays risk, not diagnosis, because expression can be raised for reasons other than the disease and no clinical test has confirmed it.
Limitation: Four genes in one sample is a small window; the claim needs replicate measurements, many more genes, and comparison samples with a confirmed diagnosis.
| Gene | Fold change | Heat-map shade |
|---|---|---|
| Gene W | 3.5 | darkest (up) |
| Gene X | 1.2 | pale, near 1 |
| Gene Y | 0.9 | pale, near 1 |
| Gene Z | 0.2 | lightest (down) |
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: Parallel worked CER on a different four-gene practice grid (Genes W to Z, values that are not yours): a shaded heat map and a claim with two fold-change values as evidence that separates elevated risk from diagnosis. Models the format only. Your own heat-map claim uses your own grid.
- Write one defensible claim.
- Choose specific evidence that supports the claim.
- Explain the scientific rule that connects the evidence to the claim.
Keep the structure. Replace the question, facts, measurements, and evidence. Then recheck units, vocabulary, and whether the conclusion goes beyond the evidence.
Also due today: Submit your heat map and claim in Schoology.
Turn in: Shaded heat map of four genes and a CER claim (claim, two fold-change values as evidence, reasoning) that distinguishes risk from diagnosis.
Go to Schoology to turn this in.
Submit one PDF. Schoology attaches your name to your upload; on the page itself, write your period and code. Name the file: FirstName LastName - Assignment Title - YYYY-MM-DD.pdf.
Open Schoology PDF upload helpIf you cannot get in, see Mr. Mendoza. Do not skip the work.
Claim ceiling: Today's evidence supports a classroom claim about heat-map claim. It cannot prove causation, diagnose a real patient, or justify action outside this room.
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.
It builds this reusable test skill: Distinguishing disease risk from diagnosis when reading expression data.
- Name the concept or data pattern being tested.
- Cross out choices that violate that rule or the evidence.
- Justify the best remaining choice before checking the answer.