Chromosomal Abnormality
Part 1: You will be researching the development of the human fetus through its 9 month development process. Please use this website for your project: http://www.ehd.org/science_main.php?level=all&fn=on. The website gives information about development of structures and organ systems. When using the site it is recommended that you un-select all systems, then select ONLY the systems you need for that particular question. Any problems, ask! Please be sure your answers are in complete sentences. 1. HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is the pregnancy hormone detected in pregnancy tests. How early can this be detected in a mothers urine? 2. When do the first organ systems (neural and cardiovascular) begin to develop? Why do you think these develop first? 3. What are the main events happening during weeks 3-5? Do most women know they are pregnant at this stage, and do you think that the events occurring during this period might be sensitive to substances such as alcohol? 4. When does the palate close? 5. When does the heart complete development? 6. What is surfactant and when does it begin to be produced? 7. The default gender is female. As we know, genes on the Y chromosome produce testosterone, which lead the embryo down the path to being male. When does testosterone begin to be produced? 8. What is the first hormone produced in the body of the fetus and when does it begin to be secreted? 9. When does urine begin to be produced? 10. At what point do females have the maximum number of oogonia? Part 2: You will be researching a birth defect that is known to be either genetic in nature or to be caused by exposure to an outside agent. The defect you will research will be randomly assigned to you by the instructor. My birth defect is Neurofibromatosis. Your job will be to answer the following questions about your birth defect. Please write this portion of the project in ESSAY FORM (not just answering the questions). It is not required that you use the same website used in Part 1 for Part 2; please give references for Part 2. What organ system(s) does your birth defect affect? When are these system(s) developing (what part of what month)? If known, what is the cause of this birth defect? What are the symptoms? What, if anything, can be done to treat this defect? If caused by a toxic agent, would it be safe to be exposed to your outside agent at times other than when your target organs are developing? Why or why not? If genetic, what is the specific genetic cause or chromosomal abnormality?
