Student Exploration: Human Karyotyping
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
Vocabulary: autosome, chromosomal disorder, chromosome, genome, karyotype, sex chromosome
Prior Knowledge Question (Do this BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
A chromosome is a rod-shaped structure made of coils of DNA. Most human cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
1. Why do you think humans have two sets of 23 chromosomes? (Hint: Where did each set come from?)
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One set of 23 comes from the father(male) and the other set comes from the mother
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(female)
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2. How do you think different people’s chromosomes would compare?
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Males have XY chromosomes and females have XX chromosomes.
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Gizmo Warm-up
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Scientists use karyotypes to study the chromosomes in a cell. A karyotype is a
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picture showing a cell’s chromosomes grouped together in pairs.
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In the Human Karyotyping Gizmo, you will make karyotypes for five individuals.
Take a look at the SIMULATION pane. Use the arrows to click through the
numbered list of chromosomes at the bottom right of the pane.
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1. How does the appearance of the chromosomes change as you move
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through the list?
The chromosomes get smaller and smaller as you move down the list.
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2. Examine the chromosomes labeled x and y. How do these two chromosomes
compare?
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, Activity A:
Get the Gizmo ready:
Male and female
● Click Reset.
karyotypes
Question: How are male karyotypes different from female karyotypes?
1. Compare: In the SIMULATION pane, make sure Subject A is selected. Click on and drag one of subject
A’s chromosomes to the area labeled Identify. Use the arrows to compare the chromosome you picked
with chromosomes 1 through 22 and also with X and Y.
Which chromosome did you select? Chromosome 7
2. Create: Drag the chromosome to the appropriate position on the KARYOTYPING pane. Then select
another chromosome, identify it, and place it on the karyotype.
When you have identified and placed all of the chromosomes, click the camera ( ) to take a snapshot of
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the karyotype. Paste the snapshot below, and label it “Subject A.”
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📷
3. Count: Chromosomes 1 through 22 are called autosomes. Examine the karyotype you have created.
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