JoinAll Case Studies
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Suggested Keywords, to help with your search (besides selecting subjects): clicker cases, directed cases, interrupted cases, discussion cases, intimate debate cases. As a reminder, all cases may be adjusted to meet the needs of your student level. See our case use guidelines.
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A Long Recovery Road for Norrie
By Melissa S. Kosinski-Collins , Caitlin M. Hepps Keeney, Ariana L. Hinckley-Boltax
This case study tells the story of “Norrie,” a green iguana who is adopted as a companion animal and becomes sick. Norrie is brought to a veterinarian and is diagnosed with a metabolic bone disease caused by a nutritional deficiency of calc...
Dystrophin Stability and Cardiomyopathy
By Richard J. Kwak, Joyce A. Horton, Zyan Davis, Kristy J. Wilson
Many students struggle with how the function of a protein can be dictated by that protein’s molecular makeup. In this case study, students learn about the structure and function of dystrophin, a protein that is involved in the contraction and prote...
A Bioinformatic Investigation of a Mysterious Meningoencephalitis
By Sari Matar, Dyan Anore, Basma Galal, Shawn Xiong
This case study gives students an opportunity to use basic bioinformatic tools to develop the skills of data interpretation and analysis. Based on an actual clinical case of a boy who contracted meningoencephalitis, students try to determine the caus...
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Upon Diagnosis
By Ali Chaari, Aisha Kafoud
This directed case study is designed to help students integrate biochemical and physiological concepts with clinical aspects of disease. The case tells the story of a little girl who experiences diabetic ketoacidosis and is diagnosed with type 1 diab...
The Name’s Bond, Chemical Bond
By Katie McShea, Kari Fleuriet, Fatmah Alamoudi, Deana Jaber
This case study is designed to help students better understand chemical bonds by introducing them to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The unique structure of these substances renders ...
By Sheri L. Boyce
This case study on hyperthyroidism tells the story of “Mae,” a mother with undiagnosed Graves’ disease. When Mae gives birth to a son weighing less than 4 pounds with tachycardia, the infant is immediately taken to the NICU. Students are progre...
Maria, Metastasis, and Methotrexate
By Rachael M. Barry, Matthew Mahavongtrakul, Ray Ghorbani, Suzanne Bohlson
This case study describes the fictional experiences of “Maria,” a person recently diagnosed with metastatic cancer and prescribed the drug methotrexate. In the story, Maria discusses her treatment plan with her doctor and learns about her medicat...
By Alison J. Albee, J. Megan Woltz, Taylor Kemp, Emma Mays, Tylor M. Miller, Eric Fisher, Amanda Loutzenhiser
This case study focuses on the characteristic of tusklessness in the African elephant population of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, to examine molecular and macroscopic aspects of evolution. Students are introduced to the plight of African eleph...
Does Jazmyne Need a New Chair?
By Melissa S. Kosinski-Collins , Ariana L. Hinckley-Boltax
This directed case study follows the story of the diagnosis and treatment of “Jazmyne,” an elderly feline patient with hyperthyroidism. The case asks students to practice the skills of observation and inference while making a diagnosis based on J...
By Hollie L. Leavitt
This case study gives students an opportunity to review skin structure and function, and to learn about the assessment and treatment of burns. The case tells the story of “Akeem,” a recent university graduate who severely burns his hand while iro...
By Hilary Anderson, Shannon Mommsen, Sara Khan, Abir O. Kanaan, Karyn Sullivan, Paul Belliveau
Medication errors are preventable events that can negatively impact patient outcomes and result in unnecessary admissions, prolonged hospital stays, and death. Health care professionals (HCPs) often analyze these events to identify the cause of the e...
By Krystal A. Nunes
This case study focuses on wetlands in Ontario, Canada, to investigate factors impacting biodiversity. The narrative begins with an introduction to native plant species at varying levels of conservation concern. Students examine the life history trai...
By Rebecca L. Landsberg
This directed case study focuses on the structure, function, and diseases of the circulatory system. A college student and her grandmother “Nonny” face a significant health scare involving the heart. While Nonny is in the hospital waiting for the...
Can Stem Cells Bring Magic to Medicine?
By Ashleigh Garrett, Joni H. Ylostalo
Despite the occasional controversy, the use of stem cells in science and medicine is increasingly important and widespread, and thus it is important to understand their basic characteristics, types, sources, and applications. This directed case study...
By Blyssalyn V. Bieber, Gabrielle T. Welsh, Mayra C. Vidal, Whitley R. Lehto, Erin M. Lehmer, Robin M. Tinghitella, Shannon M. Murphy
Zoonotic diseases, or diseases that are transmitted from wildlife to humans, provide clear evidence that human health does not exist in a vacuum, but rather results from a complex interplay between humans, other organisms, and their shared environmen...
By Rachel A. Hirst, Tracy R. Rosebrock
This directed case study connects the physiological symptoms and genetic mutations associated with mucolipidosis II, a lysosomal storage disorder (LSD), to the mislocalization of certain lysosomal hydrolases caused by the lack of an important post-tr...
By Breanna N. Harris, Heidi Schutz
In this directed case study, students determine the impact of various venoms or disorders on the electrophysiology of neurons. Students begin with a review of basic neuron terms, physiology, and polarization, with particular emphasis on leak and volt...
By Nalini V. Broadbelt, Amitoj S. Sawhney, Michelle A. Young
This directed case study is based on the true story of a 26-day-old infant who died from congenital heart defects (CHDs). The clinical tests performed on this baby are explored as the 20-year-old brother learns how a malformed heart and defective red...
By Madison Hossack, Kenneth W. Yip
At the intersection of cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, this case study examines the complexities of vesicular transport and the potentially large-scale implications on human health in instances of dysregulation. Students analyze and ev...
Cords, Coffee Tables, and Cadavers
By Sheri L. Boyce
This collection of mini cases on cardiac function challenges students to explore the relationship between heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output, and to investigate some of the factors that alter each component, including preload, contractilit...
By Melanie E. Peffer
“Scott” and “Celeste” want to have another baby, but their plans go awry when Celeste miscarries twice. Students follow the couple’s struggle in this case study to learn about meiosis, independent assortment, chromosomal rearrangements, bal...
Can Birds “Keep Up” with Earlier Springs?
By Casey Youngflesh, John C. Withey
The timing of seasonal ecological events, known as phenology, plays an important role in how ecosystems function. As a result of rapid climatic change, many ecological events associated with spring are now occurring earlier. This has prompted concern...
Those Who Wish to Sing Always Find a Song
By Justin W. Merry
This interrupted case study examines the evolution of cricket stridulation in the Hawaiian Islands, where a silent, non-stridulating phenotype of Teleogryllus oceanicus has evolved and spread throughout Hawaiian populations in just over a decade in r...
By Daniel Elias, Jadejah Robinson, Aazah Daniel
In this case study, students explore the impacts of atmospheric events such as El Niño and the trade winds on water scarcity. Set within the geographical and socioeconomical context of Jamaica, students discuss strategies and solutions to improve wa...
Not the NMR You Are Thinking of
By Shawn Xiong
Students often find learning the biochemistry of metabolism to be dry and difficult, partly due to the content-heavy nature of the subject. For example, glycolysis, the most well-known biochemical pathway, consists of 10 enzymes and is further compli...
By Rachel Rigsby, Jamie Adam
This case study was developed to teach nursing students about the importance of enzyme reactions and inhibition, not only in normal biochemistry, but also in drug metabolism. Students assume the role of an ER nurse as they tend to a patient displayin...
By Michèle I. Shuster, Joann Mudge, Meghan Hill, Katelynn James, Gabriella A. DeFrancesco, Maria P. Chadiarakou, Anitha Sundararajan
This PowerPoint-driven case study with supporting supplemental materials is designed for students to learn about the protein p53 (the “guardian of the genome”) and how characteristic mutations in the protein were used to establish that smoking ca...
By Melody J. Neumann, Michelle B. French, Franco A. Taverna
In this video-centered case study, “Liam” meets with healthcare professionals and is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus due to the loss of vasopressin caused by a head injury. After watching Liam’s story, either at home or in class, students ans...
To Pick a Peck of Orange Peppers
By Pamela Kalas, Fatima Syed
This illustrated, interrupted case study explores the genetic and molecular mechanisms leading to color variation in bell peppers. Students are introduced to the roles of several genes involved in the fruit maturation process, with a focus on the bio...
By Kelli M. Kinlen, David M. Zuckerman
In this interrupted case study, students explore the contributions of our intestinal microbiota to our health through the story of a first-year college student suffering from gastric distress. Students investigate the normal activities of our intesti...
Exploring the Ventricles of the Brain Using a Four-Step Systematic Approach
By Natascha Heise, Katelyn E. Brown, Tod R. Clapp
This case study uses a modified problem-based learning approach to explore the anatomy and physiology of the ventricular system along with the sub-arachnoid space. Critical thinking is important for success in professional schools and future careers;...
By Theresa L. Beaty
“Wesley,” an apparently healthy newborn boy, develops breathing difficulties and becomes unresponsive around 48 hours after birth. Clinical tests show elevated levels of ammonia and organic acids with corresponding acidemia; genetic tests uncover...
By Kerianne M. Wilson
Poor nutrition in early life can have significant and long-lasting impacts to humans and persists in both developed and developing nations. Other species may also be susceptible to some of the same physiological impacts of malnutrition. While many fo...
Molly’s Medical Mission Maladies
By William M. Kolling, Catherine D. Santanello
This case study follows “Molly,” a volunteer with an aid organization conducting annual medical mission trips to Cameroon, Africa. On their most recent trip, her team was exposed to a local outbreak of listeriosis, and Molly was prophylacti...
Environmental Disaster in Honolulu Harbor
By Prescott C. Ensign
This case study illustrates the importance of decision-making based on sound science, business practices, engineering standards, and ethical principles. In 2013, approximately 1,400 tons of molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor, wiping out sea life a...
By John B. Chiari, Jillian Giblin, Courtney L. McGinnis
This interrupted case study tells the story of “William,” an immigrant from the Faroe Islands to Cape Cod, MA, who has recently experienced an acute myocardial infarction (MI). With the help of his healthcare team, William learns about his ...
By Megan Lee, Anna K.S. Jozwick
This interrupted case study follows the story of “Miriam,” a first-year biology student who draws inspiration from her favorite detective show to help her study for class. Students take on the role of “chemical detective,” learning to use str...
By Scott J. Donnelly
This interrupted case study examines one of nature’s metabolic marvels: the hibernating bear and the fat catabolism pathway that enables it to survive the long, cold, and foodless winter months. After a brief introduction explaining the basics of b...
By Stephanie Dingwall, Tammy Nguyen
This interrupted case study is an exploration of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, which results from a genetic defect in a urea cycle enzyme. Students are introduced to a 21-year-old patient who loses consciousness after a gym session. Up...
The Thorny Issue of the Yellow Star-Thistle
By Mariëlle H. Hoefnagels
This clicker case study is designed to help students understand the basic events in flowering plant (angiosperm) reproduction and appreciate its importance. (Alternation of generations and double fertilization are excluded, but instructors who want t...