AWHONN ADVANCED FHM COURSE EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
◉ Punnet Squares. Answer: Shows predictable patterns in
transmission of single-gene traits from parents to offspring
Dominant allele (indicated by capital letter)
Trait apparent and will mask recessive allele
Often codes for functional enzymes or structural proteins
Recessive allele (indicated by lowercase letter)
Trait apparent only if both alleles are recessive
Often codes for nonfunctional enzymes or structural proteins
*used more in genetic diseases where the sex of the offspring does
not matter
◉ Punnet Square for Sex-Linked Disorders. Answer: Both parents
heterozygous for dominant trait (Aa)
25% probability of AA; 50% probability of Aa
Trait expressed in same manner
,Aa individual usually is carrier of disease
25% probability of aa
Trait absent
Many diseases/genetic disorders carried in recessive allele
◉ Punnet Squares for Autosomal Recessive Genetic Disorder.
Answer: Need both defective genes present for the trait to be
expressed
◉ TORCH effects. Answer: Refers to infection of a developing fetus or
newborn by any of a group of infectious agents. "TORCH" is an
acronym meaning (T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella (also
known as German Measles), (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes
Simplex.
◉ Prenatal Diagnosis of Chromosome Abnormalities. Answer:
Amniocentesis - about 16 weeks of gestation, amniotic fluid is
obtained, fibroblasts are cultured and chromosome abnormalities
can be detected; neural tube defects - elevation in α-fetoprotein.
Chorionic villus sampling - can be performed at 10 weeks, does not
require in vitro culturing because of an adequate number of cells in
sample, earlier detection of abnormalities.
Clinical diagnosis by whole-genome sequencing of a prenatal sample
,Fetal Cells in Maternal Blood (FCMB) - Based on enrichment of fetal
cells which circulate in maternal blood. Since fetal cells hold all the
genetic information of the developing fetus they can be used to
perform prenatal diagnosis. Under development and testing.
*all these test require fetal cells somehow*
◉ *Chapter 7: Neoplasia*. Answer:
◉ Cancer. Answer: aka- Neoplasia
Abnormality of cellular growth/tumor
Associated with altered expression of cellular genes
2nd leading cause of death in the U.S.
Most deaths occur in those over the age of 55
Men have a 1:2 chance in developing cancer and women have a 1:3
chance
5-year survival rate is 68%
◉ Cancer Grading System. Answer: Histologic characterization of
tumor cells
Degree of anaplasia
, 3 or 4 classes of increasing degrees of malignancy
Greater degree of anaplasia=greater degree of malignant potential
◉ Cancer Staging of Tumors. Answer: Location and patterns of
spread within the host
Tumor size
Extent of local growth
Lymph node and organ involvement
Distant metastasis
TNM system most widely used
T-tumor
N-nodes involved
M-metastasis
Results of staging determine treatment modality
◉ Benign Cancer. Answer: Does not have potential to kill host, but
may be life-threatening because of its location
Does not invade adjacent tissue or spread to distant sites
Can be easily cued
◉ Malignant Cancer. Answer: Can kill host if untreated
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
◉ Punnet Squares. Answer: Shows predictable patterns in
transmission of single-gene traits from parents to offspring
Dominant allele (indicated by capital letter)
Trait apparent and will mask recessive allele
Often codes for functional enzymes or structural proteins
Recessive allele (indicated by lowercase letter)
Trait apparent only if both alleles are recessive
Often codes for nonfunctional enzymes or structural proteins
*used more in genetic diseases where the sex of the offspring does
not matter
◉ Punnet Square for Sex-Linked Disorders. Answer: Both parents
heterozygous for dominant trait (Aa)
25% probability of AA; 50% probability of Aa
Trait expressed in same manner
,Aa individual usually is carrier of disease
25% probability of aa
Trait absent
Many diseases/genetic disorders carried in recessive allele
◉ Punnet Squares for Autosomal Recessive Genetic Disorder.
Answer: Need both defective genes present for the trait to be
expressed
◉ TORCH effects. Answer: Refers to infection of a developing fetus or
newborn by any of a group of infectious agents. "TORCH" is an
acronym meaning (T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella (also
known as German Measles), (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes
Simplex.
◉ Prenatal Diagnosis of Chromosome Abnormalities. Answer:
Amniocentesis - about 16 weeks of gestation, amniotic fluid is
obtained, fibroblasts are cultured and chromosome abnormalities
can be detected; neural tube defects - elevation in α-fetoprotein.
Chorionic villus sampling - can be performed at 10 weeks, does not
require in vitro culturing because of an adequate number of cells in
sample, earlier detection of abnormalities.
Clinical diagnosis by whole-genome sequencing of a prenatal sample
,Fetal Cells in Maternal Blood (FCMB) - Based on enrichment of fetal
cells which circulate in maternal blood. Since fetal cells hold all the
genetic information of the developing fetus they can be used to
perform prenatal diagnosis. Under development and testing.
*all these test require fetal cells somehow*
◉ *Chapter 7: Neoplasia*. Answer:
◉ Cancer. Answer: aka- Neoplasia
Abnormality of cellular growth/tumor
Associated with altered expression of cellular genes
2nd leading cause of death in the U.S.
Most deaths occur in those over the age of 55
Men have a 1:2 chance in developing cancer and women have a 1:3
chance
5-year survival rate is 68%
◉ Cancer Grading System. Answer: Histologic characterization of
tumor cells
Degree of anaplasia
, 3 or 4 classes of increasing degrees of malignancy
Greater degree of anaplasia=greater degree of malignant potential
◉ Cancer Staging of Tumors. Answer: Location and patterns of
spread within the host
Tumor size
Extent of local growth
Lymph node and organ involvement
Distant metastasis
TNM system most widely used
T-tumor
N-nodes involved
M-metastasis
Results of staging determine treatment modality
◉ Benign Cancer. Answer: Does not have potential to kill host, but
may be life-threatening because of its location
Does not invade adjacent tissue or spread to distant sites
Can be easily cued
◉ Malignant Cancer. Answer: Can kill host if untreated
