Final Summary

Dr. Antoniou steps forward, gathering the students’ attention as the lab session nears its conclusion.

Dr. Antoniou: ‘Excellent work, everyone. Let’s discuss what we’ve learnt:

Michael: ‘Well, we discussed how karyotyping clarifies large-scale chromosomal abnormalities, such as that extra copy of chromosome 21 in Down’s Syndrome.’

You: ‘We have also discovered that autosomal recessive traits—like cystic fibrosis— rely on smaller-scale mutations that are best analyzed using Mendelian probability rules.’

Ana: ‘Also, by examining Punnett squares, addition and multiplication rules, and the binomial formula, we’ve seen how genetics calculations inform families and clinicians about risk. While one disorder may need a trusty karyotype instead of molecular testing, other calls for detailed gene-level analysis or probability predictions.’ 

Dr Antoniou nods and adds: ‘Together, this establishes a complete toolkit for exploring diverse genetic questions. I encourage each of you to keep building these skills, especially the ability to select the right method—cytogenetic or molecular—depending on the disorder. Genetics isn’t about memorizing formulas; it’s about understanding why and when each approach applies. As you move on, you’ll find these concepts invaluable for both clinical reasoning and research pursuits.’

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