Karyotype case analysis
Safety gate · before any work
- Handle scissors with blade pointing down when moving.
- Keep workspace clear of loose scraps to avoid contaminating another student's karyotype.
- Wash hands after handling printed lab materials.
Do now
Students individually arrange and interpret a karyotype to identify a chromosomal abnormality in a patient case.
- Hand in
- Completed karyotype template with labeled chromosome pairs, identified abnormality, and one stated procedural limitation.
- Where
- Turn this in at the drop folder with your district Microsoft sign-in, or hand it to Mr. Mendoza in class. Both count as submitted. Doing the activity in myPLTW does not.
You get two school days for every day you were absent, so this deadline moves with you.
You are handed one patient's scrambled images. Following the SOP, can you arrange all 23 pairs and correctly name the abnormality without introducing your own error?
Students individually arrange and interpret a to identify a chromosomal abnormality in a patient case.
- • Produce a correctly ordered following the lab SOP.
- • Identify the chromosomal abnormality and state one procedural limitation.
- Name two features you would use to match one to its partner in a .
- In this lab, what is the and what is the ?
- 1Record the SOP for cutting, pairing, and ordering images.
- 2Identify the independent and dependent variables in this diagnostic procedure.
- 3Sort chromosomes by size and centromere position into 22 pairs plus sex chromosomes.
- 4Compare the completed to a reference to detect any extra or missing .
- 5Name the abnormality and note one source of error that could affect the reading.
What did this day actually feel like?
Karyotype case analysis
LAB This one was individual, not team, and it was fiddly in a way I did not expect. You physically cut out chromosome images and sort them by size and centromere position into 22 pairs plus the sex chromosomes.
Sorting by size sounds easy. It is not, because several pairs are close enough that you are squinting at centromere position to break the tie. I misplaced a pair, which shifted two others, and did not notice until my final count was off. Had to redo about a third of it.
The abnormality in my case was visible once the sort was right, and completely invisible before. Which is the lesson: the diagnostic power is in the procedure, not in the looking.
Turned in: mounted karyotype and abnormality statement, handed to the collection tray → Lab Reports folder
Fiction. There is no such student. The lessons, labs and dates are the real planned course; the student, the classmates and the conversations are invented.
The same day, drawn.
Sorting by size sounds easy. It is not. I misplaced one pair, which shifted two others, and did not notice until my count came out wrong.
Fiction. There is no such student. The lessons, labs and dates are the real planned course; the student, the classmates and the conversations are invented.
🛠 Get unstuck · pick your level
Lab day: Tier 1 is the whole class at the bench. No extension today.
🔑 Today's words · 5
Tap a word in the lesson for a plain meaning and one example. Recycled into next week's Do-Now.
Do the work · 80-minute blockfirst 5 min = hook▸
💡 Big idea: A is a diagnostic tool whose result depends on following a precise SOP, so an error in cutting or pairing can produce a false diagnosis.
- 0-5 minReview SOP posted at station: cutting, pairing, and mounting sequence.
- 5-10 minIdentify and record ( images given) and (completed reading).
- 10-50 minIndividual construction: sort 22 autosome pairs plus sex chromosomes; mount on template.
- 50-65 minCompare to reference ; identify and name the chromosomal abnormality.
- 65-75 minRecord one source of procedural error that could affect the diagnosis.
- 75-80 minSubmit completed and written abnormality statement before leaving.
- • Today you are the clinical cytogenetics technician: your reading is what the will use.
- • Follow the SOP exactly, sequence matters just as it does in a real lab.
- • This is a Handling/Preparation/Storage/Disposal skill (WebXam 072110 strand 5): precision and documentation count.
- • When you identify the abnormality, write it down in proper clinical language.
- • Chromosomes are paired by homologs using size, banding pattern, and centromere position.
- • An extra or missing detected in a indicates a numerical abnormality.
- • Procedural errors in cutting, pairing, or image quality can produce a false reading.
Unit 2.2 to 2.3: Chromosomal abnormalities, genetic risk, family evidence, diagnosis from mixed data. · case analysis
Day 3 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (find it in Clever, Microsoft sign-in), then do the work below.
Do this: Open myPLTW and locate the Lesson 2.2 Decoding a Diagnosis activity. Use the platform's reference images to verify your pairing.
Record your abnormality finding in the platform response field and submit.
You finished the chromosomal-abnormalities task Tuesday. Today you should reach the abnormality-identification question and submit it.
Completed paper plus platform submission count as your evidence.
The official PLTW activity stays inside myPLTW. If myPLTW will not open, use F1 and E1-E3 on this page to complete today's local evidence decision, then make up the official activity when access returns. Turn this in at the drop folder with your district Microsoft sign-in, or hand it to Mr. Mendoza in class. Both count as submitted. Doing the activity in myPLTW does not.
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible through the submission route shown below.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 2.2 to 2.3: Chromosomal abnormalities, genetic risk, family evidence, diagnosis from mixed data. · Karyotype case analysis
Open myPLTW and locate the Lesson 2.2 Decoding a Diagnosis activity. Use the platform's reference images to verify your pairing.
You finished the chromosomal-abnormalities task Tuesday. Today you should reach the abnormality-identification question and submit it.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Students individually arrange and interpret a to identify a chromosomal abnormality in a patient case.
- Record the SOP for cutting, pairing, and ordering images.
- Identify the independent and dependent variables in this diagnostic procedure.
- Sort chromosomes by size and centromere position into 22 pairs plus sex chromosomes.
- Compare the completed to a reference to detect any extra or missing .
- Name the abnormality and note one source of error that could affect the reading.
Lab report: Completed template with labeled pairs, identified abnormality, and one stated procedural limitation.
Turn this in at the drop folder with your district Microsoft sign-in, or hand it to Mr. Mendoza in class. Both count as submitted. Doing the activity in myPLTW does not. Use the checklist just below and upload by 11:29 PM for full credit. Absent with an excused absence? You get two school days for every day you were absent, so this deadline moves with you.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Record the SOP for cutting, pairing, and ordering images. | _______ |
| Identify the independent and dependent variables in this diagnostic procedure. | _______ |
| Sort chromosomes by size and centromere position into 22 pairs plus sex chromosomes. | _______ |
| Compare the completed to a reference to detect any extra or missing . | _______ |
| Name the abnormality and note one source of error that could affect the reading. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- Produce a correctly ordered following the lab SOP.
- Identify the chromosomal abnormality and state one procedural limitation.
- 1Do thisStudents individually arrange and interpret a karyotype to identify a chromosomal abnormality in a patient case.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisLab report: Completed karyotype template with labeled chromosome pairs, identified abnormality, and one stated procedural limitation.
- 4Submit it here
- 1Open the drop folder.
- 2Sign in with your district Microsoft account, not a personal one.
- 3Upload the file, named Lastname_Firstname__Assignment Title.
- 4Your own upload panel says Uploaded with a green check: that is your receipt.
Turn this in at the drop folder with your district Microsoft sign-in, or hand it to Mr. Mendoza in class. Both count as submitted. Doing the activity in myPLTW does not. Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science) › Unit 2.2 to 2.3: Chromosomal abnormalities, genetic risk, family evidence, diagnosis from mixed data. › Lab reportOpen the drop folder
Learn it · deck, reading, and vocabulary▸
The deck carries the prior idea forward, lets you inspect an analogy, maps the rule to biology, and ends with the same evidence decision and exit ticket used on this page.
Generated from this lesson's canonical data with a red-team citation check.
Genetic tests reveal permanent, shared family information, so decisions about testing must be governed by consent and privacy rather than by any single person's wishes.
A is a diagnostic tool whose result depends on following a precise SOP, so an error in cutting or pairing can produce a false diagnosis.
A smoke alarm detects signs of fire but can also react to burnt toast.
- What does the alarm detect?
- What creates a false alarm?
- What evidence is needed before declaring a fire?
A screening signal changes what to investigate next; it does not automatically prove the cause.
Biomedical tests have measured performance and biological sampling limits that a household alarm does not capture.
- • Alarm signal maps to a test result.
- • Burnt toast maps to a .
- • Inspection maps to confirmation or the next test.
Driving question: You are handed one patient's scrambled images. Following the SOP, can you arrange all 23 pairs and correctly name the abnormality without introducing your own error?
What you already know: Genetic tests reveal permanent, shared family information, so decisions about testing must be governed by consent and privacy rather than by any single person's wishes.
New idea: A is a diagnostic tool whose result depends on following a precise SOP, so an error in cutting or pairing can produce a false diagnosis.
Visual or model: F1. F1. A lesson illustration or teaching diagram for Karyotype case analysis. Use it with E1-E3; it is a model or context image, not experimental or patient data. What to notice: Trace the labeled observation or evidence sequence before choosing an explanation.
- Observe or measure the relevant feature in case analysis.
- Organize the observation with a stable evidence ID.
- Apply this rule: A screening signal changes what to investigate next; it does not automatically prove the cause.
- Choose the option the evidence supports and state the limit of the conclusion.
Real biomedical example: You are handed one patient's scrambled images. Following the SOP, can you arrange all 23 pairs and correctly name the abnormality without introducing your own error?
What the evidence supports: E1-E3 and F1 support the daily take-home when the response meets the stated success criteria.
What it cannot prove: The package does not support claims beyond this lesson's or any real patient diagnosis.
- • : An organized picture of a person's full set of chromosomes arranged by size and shape, used to spot missing, extra, or rearranged chromosomes.
- • inheritance: The passing of genetic traits from parents to offspring through genes carried on chromosomes during reproduction.
- • : The specific set of gene versions an individual carries, which works with the environment to shape observable traits.
- • phenotype: The observable traits of an organism, such as appearance or function, that result from its combined with environmental influences.
- • : A person who carries one copy of a disease without showing symptoms but can pass it to their children.
- • pedigree: A family tree drawn with standard symbols (squares for males, circles for females, filled for affected) so any geneticist can read a family at a glance.
- • : The increased chance of developing a disease that a person inherits because of specific gene variants passed down in their family.
Use it now: Choose one decision option. Cite E1 and E3, then explain how the rule connects the evidence to your choice.
Go further, optional: The source links below are optional enrichment. Every fact required for today's local evidence decision appears in this lesson package.
Chromosomes are paired by homologs using size, banding pattern, and centromere position.
Limit: E1 supplies context or an observation; it does not by itself establish the explanation.
A is a diagnostic tool whose result depends on following a precise SOP, so an error in cutting or pairing can produce a false diagnosis.
Limit: E2 is a teaching statement or comparison and must be checked against the task evidence.
Produce a correctly ordered following the lab SOP.
Limit: E3 supports only the result or product criterion named here; it cannot justify a broader clinical or causal claim.
PLTW-PBT-2026-10-27 · Simulated classroom evidence scenario
Your role: biomedical investigator
Decision: Your team must decide what the evidence from case analysis supports before submitting the lab report named on the lesson page.
- • Choose the strongest supported explanation.
- • Choose the next evidence to collect.
- • Hold the decision because the evidence is insufficient.
Response: State one choice, cite at least two evidence IDs, explain the rule that connects them, and add one limitation. Submit it as the lab report.
Claim ceiling: The supplied lesson evidence can support an observation, pattern, classroom mechanism, or next-step decision about case analysis. It cannot by itself prove causation, establish a real clinical diagnosis, or justify action outside this classroom task.
Reason for review: Your team must decide what the evidence from case analysis supports before submitting the lab report named on the lesson page.
Context: A diagnostic result is only as trustworthy as the standard procedure behind it, so recognizing sources of error is part of reading the result.
- • T1: Record the SOP for cutting, pairing, and ordering images.
- • T2: Identify the independent and dependent variables in this diagnostic procedure.
- • T3: Sort chromosomes by size and centromere position into 22 pairs plus sex chromosomes.
- • T4: Compare the completed to a reference to detect any extra or missing .
- • T5: Name the abnormality and note one source of error that could affect the reading.
- • E1: Chromosomes are paired by homologs using size, banding pattern, and centromere position.
- • E2: A is a diagnostic tool whose result depends on following a precise SOP, so an error in cutting or pairing can produce a false diagnosis.
- • E3: Produce a correctly ordered following the lab SOP.
Measurements: No patient measurement is supplied unless it appears explicitly in E1-E3 or F1. Do not invent a value.
Figure finding: Teaching diagram for case analysis. Trace the labeled observation or evidence sequence before choosing an explanation. This is a teaching model, not patient or experimental data.
Uncertainty: This is a composite classroom scenario. Missing history, measurements, or confirmation tests remain unknown and limit the conclusion.
- • The solution must address the stated need in case analysis.
- • The decision must be supported by E1-E3.
- • The final product must make the success criteria visible.
- • Complete the work inside the 80-minute block.
- • Use only supplied or teacher-approved materials and evidence.
- • Do not trade , accessibility, or privacy for speed.
- • and evidence quality: must pass before scoring other criteria.
- • User need and effectiveness: highest scored criterion.
- • Time, cost, and ease of use: compare only after and effectiveness pass.
Test evidence: For each option, record the E1-E3 result that supports or fails each criterion. Do not assign a score without a named observation.
- Version or option tested
- Criterion met or missed
- Evidence ID and result
- Revision made
- Reason for the revision
- Need and user
- Criteria and constraints
- Chosen option and evidence
- Test result
- Revision and reason
Students often think Students often think that once a is 'about the right size' it belongs in that pair, so they stop checking after size.. The trap: Size alone is not enough; two chromosomes can be close in length but differ in banding pattern and centromere position. The trap is pairing by size only, which lets a misplaced slip through and produces a false reading.
Karyotype lab (Patient A):
- SOP followed: cut each chromosome image, sort by size (largest to smallest), align by centromere position and banding pattern, place into 22 numbered autosome pairs plus the sex pair.
- Variables: independent variable is the patient's chromosome images; dependent variable is the final pair count and arrangement.
- Result: 22 normal autosome pairs and XX, but chromosome 21 has three copies instead of two.
- Abnormality named: Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).
- Procedural limitation: if two chromosomes have similar size and banding, I could mis-pair them, which would produce a false reading; poor image quality makes this worse.
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: A finished karyotype template with chromosome pairs ordered per the SOP, the identified abnormality named, and one stated procedural limitation.
- State the question and method.
- Present the observations and data with units.
- Explain the result, limitations, and next investigation.
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: Turn in the mounted karyotype and the written abnormality statement to the collection tray before the period ends.
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning: make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure, the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities. Find it in Clever with your Microsoft sign-in, right next to Schoology.
Tap the speaker to hear a term. Add two of these to your notebook glossary with a definition and an example in your own words.
Pick just 2 or 3 words from today and make them yours: write what each one means in your own words, name the context clue or evidence that helped, then give one example from what you actually did in Karyotype case analysis. Try your own words first; the glossary is there if you get stuck. This is voluntary and counts as extra credit, so keep it short.
Saved on this device. Show Mr. Mendoza or add these to your notebook glossary to claim the extra credit.
Hand-picked readings and interactives for this lesson, from authoritative open organizations and PLTW's own public course outline.
Check yourself · commit, then reveal▸
Claim ceiling for this check: The supplied lesson evidence can support an observation, pattern, classroom mechanism, or next-step decision about case analysis. It cannot by itself prove causation, establish a real clinical diagnosis, or justify action outside this classroom task.
Your finished karyotype shows only one X and no second sex chromosome, giving 45 chromosomes total. Before you report it, what is one procedural error you must rule out?
Write an answer and pick a confidence to unlock the key.
Fast retrieval with instant answers, not the commit-then-reveal check above. Try each from memory first: write what you remember about the earlier units, then check yourself here.
Go further and get help▸
I can name the procedure's purpose and the evidence I will record. I can identify each named hazard and the control that reduces it: Handle scissors with blade pointing down when moving. My data table is ready before materials are handled.
Finish the checklist before you handle any material.
- • Handle scissors with blade pointing down when moving.
- • Keep workspace clear of loose scraps to avoid contaminating another student's karyotype.
- • Wash hands after handling printed lab materials.
- 1Before materials are handled, identify the purpose, variables or comparison, controls, measurement units, and stop-work condition.
- 2Record the SOP for cutting, pairing, and ordering chromosome images.
- 3Identify the independent and dependent variables in this diagnostic procedure.
- 4Sort chromosomes by size and centromere position into 22 pairs plus sex chromosomes.
- 5Compare the completed karyotype to a reference to detect any extra or missing chromosome.
- 6Name the abnormality and note one source of error that could affect the reading.
- 7Record each result in the prepared table before interpreting it. Mark missing, repeated, or invalid results truthfully.
- 8Complete the named cleanup and waste route, remove PPE safely, wash hands when required, and confirm the station is ready for the next group.
| Trial or sample ID | Independent condition | Measured result with units | Observation before interpretation | Quality-control note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Before the procedure, predict the result and cite the rule behind the prediction.
After the procedure, compare the result with the prediction and name one limitation or source of uncertainty.
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
Today is individual work you can do from home: complete the same target above, then submit your Lab report.
Open the drop folderTurn this in at the drop folder with your district Microsoft sign-in, or hand it to Mr. Mendoza in class. Both count as submitted. Doing the activity in myPLTW does not.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
NHGRI: how to read a pedigreeYou've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home, including virtual labs, for extra credit. Each item shows its correct submission route.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way, on the class site or handed to Mr. Mendoza in class, and confirmed. Not in Schoology: that is where the report-card grade appears later.
- Error analysis and method · counts doubleName a specific limit of the method and how it moved your result, and compare what you predicted to what happened. "Human error" does not count; say what about the procedure or instrument caused it.