Lesson Worksheet: Medical and Genetic Screening Biology
In this worksheet, we will practice recalling some examples of diseases that can be genetically or medically screened for, and explaining why genetic screening is offered to certain individuals.
Q1:
Which of the following is not a major goal of medical examination for couples before marriage?
- AEnsuring that couples are free of physical disabilities
- BEnsuring that couples are free of serious genetic diseases
- CEnsuring that couples are free of serious infectious diseases
- DEnsuring that couples are free of sexually transmitted diseases
Q2:
Which of the following statements about genetic screening is correct?
- AGenetic screening can provide couples with a relative chance of their children developing a specified genetic disorder.
- BGenetic screening can currently be used for couples to choose the characteristics of their child (e.g., eye color).
- CGenetic screening can tell couples with certainty if their child will have any genetic disorder.
- DGenetic screening is only offered to couples who suffer from genetic disorders themselves.
- EGenetic screening can be used to test for all inherited and pathogenic diseases.
Q3:
Why may a person be offered genetic screening before deciding to have a child?
- AThey would like to choose the characteristics of their child before they are born.
- BThey are currently suffering from an infectious disease caused by a pathogen.
- CThey would like to determine their ancestry before starting their own family.
- DThey have a history of a serious genetic disorder in the family and want to reduce the risk of passing it on.
Q4:
Which of the following is not a benefit of offering genetic screening to individuals?
- AGenetic screening allows parents to not go ahead with a pregnancy if it is going to cause severe financial or psychological problems.
- BGenetic screening can reduce the occurrences of serious genetic disorders in a population.
- CGenetic screening can be used by the parents to choose the sex of their child.
- DGenetic screening can help parents prepare to care for children with genetic disorders.
- EGenetic screening can reduce the chance of parents conceiving a child that will not make it to birth or that will die very soon after.
Q5:
The table provided shows some different types of genetic tests used in genetic screening, with a brief description of each.
| Type of Genetic Test | Newborn | Carrier | Prenatal | Preimplantation | Presymptomatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Newborn babies are tested for genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. | People with a history of a genetic disease in the family, but who do not have symptoms, are tested to see if they carry the allele. | Mothers who are in an “at-risk” category during their pregnancy are tested for specific disorders that the fetus could develop. | Embryos that are being used in IVF are tested for couples that have, or have a family history of, a genetic disorder. | People who have a family history of developing genetic disorders later in life are tested for these disorders, usually when they are adults. |
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that increases the buildup of mucus in the lungs and parts of the digestive system. A person with cystic fibrosis is undergoing IVF to have a child with their partner, but they are concerned about caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which genetic test would be most appropriate for this couple?
- ACarrier
- BNewborn
- CPrenatal
- DPreimplantation
- EPresymptomatic
Q6:
The table provided shows some different types of genetic tests used in genetic screening, with a brief description of each.
| Type of Genetic Test | Newborn | Carrier | Prenatal | Preimplantation | Presymptomatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Newborn babies are tested for genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. | People with a history of a genetic disease in the family, but who do not have symptoms, are tested to see if they carry the allele. | Mothers who are in an “at-risk” category during their pregnancy are tested for specific disorders that the fetus could develop. | Embryos that are being used in IVF are tested for couples that have, or have a family history of, a genetic disorder. | People who have a family history of developing genetic disorders later in life are tested for these disorders, usually when they are adults. |
Tay-Sachs disease is a genetic disorder that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and, in young children, is fatal. A couple that both have a history of Tay-Sachs disease in their families are hoping to conceive a child but are concerned they could pass on the disorder. Which type of genetic test would be most appropriate for this couple?
- APreimplantation
- BPresymptomatic
- CCarrier
- DPrenatal
- ENewborn
Q7:
The table provided shows some different types of genetic tests used in genetic screening, with a brief description of each.
| Type of Genetic Test | Newborn | Carrier | Prenatal | Preimplantation | Presymptomatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Newborn babies are tested for genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. | People with a history of a genetic disease in the family, but who do not have symptoms, are tested to see if they carry the allele. | Mothers who are in an “at-risk” category during their pregnancy are tested for specific disorders that the fetus could develop. | Embryos that are being used in IVF are tested for couples that have, or have a family history of, a genetic disorder. | People who have a family history of developing genetic disorders later in life are tested for these disorders, usually when they are adults. |
As the age of the expectant mother increases, the chance of her giving birth to a child with Down’s syndrome also increases. A pregnant 40-year-old woman would like to know if there is a high likelihood of her unborn child having Down’s syndrome. Which type of genetic test would be most appropriate to determine this?
- APreimplantation
- BPresymptomatic
- CCarrier
- DPrenatal
- ENewborn
Q8:
The table provided shows some different types of genetic tests used in genetic screening, with a brief description of each.
| Type of Genetic Test | Newborn | Carrier | Prenatal | Preimplantation | Presymptomatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Newborn babies are tested for genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. | People with a history of a genetic disease in the family, but who do not have symptoms, are tested to see if they carry the allele. | Mothers who are in an "at-risk" category during their pregnancy are tested for specific disorders that the fetus could develop. | Embryos that are being used in IVF are tested for couples that have, or have a family history of, a genetic disorder. | People who have a family history of developing genetic disorders later in life are tested for these disorders, usually when they are adults. |
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder where, in the early stages of infancy, the brain fails to develop properly. This leads to severe brain damage, but it can be treated if it is identified early. If there is no history of PKU in the child's family, and the mother is not in an "at-risk" category, which test would be most appropriate to determine if a child has phenylketonuria?
- APrenatal
- BPresymptomatic
- CNewborn
- DCarrier
- EPreimplantation
Q9:
A couple have decided to have a child. Which of the following diseases are they most likely to be offered genetic screening for?
- AMalaria, a disease spread by mosquitoes that act as vectors to carry the parasite Plasmodium
- BTuberculosis, a bacterial disease that infects the lungs
- CInfluenza, a viral disease that usually causes a few days of fever, headaches, and nausea
- DHemophilia, an X-linked disease that prevents the blood from clotting
Q10:
The table provided shows some different types of genetic tests used in genetic screening, with a brief description of each.
| Type of Genetic Test | Newborn | Carrier | Prenatal | Preimplantation | Presymptomatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Newborn babies are tested for genetic disorders that can be treated early in life. | People with a history of a genetic disease in the family, but who do not have symptoms, are tested to see if they carry the allele. | Mothers who are in an “at-risk” category during their pregnancy are tested for specific disorders that the fetus could develop. | Embryos that are being used in IVF are tested for couples that have, or have a family history of, a genetic disorder. | People who have a family history of developing genetic disorders later in life are tested for these disorders, usually when they are adults. |
Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that most commonly appears in a person around 35–40 years of age and leads to deterioration of cognitive function. A person whose father has just been diagnosed with the disease wants to know their chances of developing it. Which type of testing would be most appropriate to determine if this person is likely to also suffer from Huntington’s disease?
- ACarrier
- BPreimplantation
- CPrenatal
- DPresymptomatic
- ENewborn
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