Category: Genetics
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Dragon Genetics
Add a little fantasy to your genetics unit by having students practice doing genetic crosses using dragons as specimens. Dragon traits include fire breathing, wingless, and color. I have students practice on whiteboards as we work through the slides and then I have students share their solutions with the class. The level 2 questions include…
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Manipulate DNA in a Simulation to Explore Mutations
This activity uses a simulation from the Concord Consortium. It shows how DNA is transcribed to RNA and then turned into a protein. It’s a very clear animation and can be used on its own as part of a lecture on protein synthesis. I have even used this as a demonstration to show protein folding…
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How Can Gene Editing Eliminate Lyme Disease?
This is a close reading and annotation exercise that can be completed in small groups. The article is an abridged version of “Rewriting the Code of Life” from the Annals of Science, January 2017. It includes concepts about transmission of pathogens and secondary hosts followed by an explanation of how CRISPR could be used to…
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Case Study: How Do Genes Determine Skin Color?
This case study focuses on a news story whose headline declares that a “mother is a the only black woman to give birth to two white babies.” Students look past the sensationalized headline to discover how skin color is controlled by multiple genes and make a final judgement about whether statements made in the…
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DNA Coloring
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. It consists of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix structure. Each nucleotide is composed of a sugar molecule (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and…
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Practice Problems: Genetics and Blood Types
This worksheet provides students with practice problems on multiple allele traits, specifically on how blood types are inherited. The problems focus on the ABO blood groups and students are asked to perform crosses where parents’ blood types are known. For example, if one parent has type O blood and the other parent has…
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Analyzing Human Pedigrees
Examine pedigrees to determine carriers in a family and inheritance patterns.
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Practice Genetics: Sex Linked Genes
Students learn basic Mendelian genetics by crossing traits from fruit flies and pea plants. In this extension, students can practice doing crosses that involve sex-linked traits, where the alleles are located on the X chromosome which affects the pattern of inheritance. This worksheet is designed for beginning biology students, as it provides in most…
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Modeling Independent Assortment & Dihybrid Crosses
Students examine how two traits are inherited, revealing that each allele has an equal chance of being passed on to the next generation, the principle of independent assortment.
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Investigation: Modeling Heredity with Popsicle Sticks
In this activity, you will use popsicle sticks to model the process of gamete formation and the combining of sperm and egg to create offspring. Results of the simulation can then be compared to Punnet square expected results. Popsicles should be made in advance, the set contains a male and female set with the genotypes…
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Simple Mendelian Genetics Practice Problems
Students learning basic Mendelian genetics can practice assigning genotypes and identifying heterozygous and homozygous configurations. Squares are set up to do crosses with purple and white flowers as seen in Mendel’s pea plants. The worksheet is very simple, designed for beginning students of biology and genetics. More difficult versions of genetics practice problems might…
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Construct a DNA Model Using Marshmallows
Use marshmallows and toothpicks to construct a model of DNA. Mini marshmallows represents the nucleotides, large marshmallows represent deoxyribose.
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Case Study: Why Are There No Male Calico Cats?
This presentation case study asks two important questions regarding cat coloration: The case is presented as a slide presentation where students consider evidence and data related to cat coloration and chromosomes. Working in small groups, they discuss the case and eventually answer the two main questions. I usually collect their answers at the end of class…
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Inquiry in Genetics Using Wisconsin Fast Plants
Genetic Experiments can be intimidating for teachers due to the time and cost of breeding plants or animals in a classroom. These issues are further complicated in a public school setting which may have space issues, limited funds, and lack of access to labs. My favorite model for genetic experiments is the Wisconsin Fast…
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AP Biology – Investigation on Genetics with Plants
A modified AP Lab where students learn to grow plants from a seed, cross pollinate plants and conduct an inquiry investigation about plant genetics.