Karyotype with magnetized chromosomes

Put yourself in the shoes of a cytogeneticist!

Objectives:
Understand the concepts of human cytogenetics, mitosis, meiosis, and chromosomal abnormalities using this comprehensive educational kit. You will be able to materialize a normal or pathological human genetic profile (trisomy 21, monosomy, ...)

Principle:
This kit allows you to play the role of a cytogeneticist by preparing a human karyotype from a set of chromosomes on magnetic supports. Students identify each chromosome and its homologous pair based on size, centromere position, length of chromosomal arms, and G-band pattern. They then organize the chromosomes on a magnetic board to simulate the human karyotype of their choice (normal or abnormal). From the prepared karyotypes, students can determine the individual's genetic profile, sex, and possibly a chromosomal abnormality. When using this kit, a basic understanding of human cell division, mitosis, and meiosis is useful but not required.

Students can prepare the following karyotypes: healthy man, healthy woman, individual with Down syndrome (man or woman), man with Klinefelter syndrome, and woman with Turner syndrome.

The kit consists of
- 48 magnetic chromosomes
- 1 magnetic board
- 1 complete teacher's manual available online (FR)
- 1 student guide available online (FR)