Curated OER
"Easter" Egg Genetics
Using plastic Easter eggs to represent parent phenotypes, genetics enthusiasts simulate the passing of alleles. They record the phenotype of each half of the egg, one representing the mother's and one representing the father's. They...
Curated OER
Phenotypic and Genotypic Changes in Bacteria
Students investigate a rapid method to render the bacterium Escherichia coli "competent" to uptake plasmid DNA. They demonstrate the phenotypic changes associated with transformation. They perform a cell resuspension from the...
Curated OER
Punnett Squares
Eighth graders take a short quiz on genotypes and phenotypes. As a class, they are introduced to the concept of Punnett Squares and listen to a description of Gregor Mendel's pea experiment. In groups, they complete Punnett Squares to...
Curated OER
Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Heredity
Tenth graders discuss their physical features, and why they look the way they do. They listen as the teacher discusses DNA, alleles, and dominant or recessive genes. Students perform an experiment with different colored markers...
Curated OER
PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC CHANGES IN BACTERIA
Students use a rapid method to render the bacterium Escherichia coli "competent" in order to uptake plasmid DNA. They also have growth on the plain LB plates by the untransformed cells (which serve as controls). Students perform a cell...
Curated OER
Designer Genes
Pupils view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.
Curated OER
I Dream of Genome
High school learners identify chemical and structural properties of DNA and explain the differences between genotype and phenotype. They develop a scientific investigation to determine the ethnic heritage of a large group of people.
Curated OER
Teacher Preparation Notes on Genetics
Students explore genetics through various hands-on activities. In this biology lesson, students predict the probability of offspring genotypes and phenotypes using the Punnett Square. They explain the causes of genetic abnormalities.
LABScI
Genetic Equilibrium: Human Diversity
Investigate the Hardy-Weinberg Principle to explain genetic equilibrium. The 10th lesson plan of a series of 12 is a laboratory exploration of genetic equilibrium. Your classes use a mixture of beans to model allele and genotype...
Curated OER
"Chips" Off the Old Block?
Students study using analogies between common items or occurrences and science concepts. They use the analogy of cookie recipes to that of the DNA "recipes" for living things to help us explain more about mutations.
North Carolina State University
Exploring Genetics Across the Middle School Science and Math Curricula
Where is a geneticist's favorite place to swim? A gene pool. Young geneticists complete hands-on activities, experiments, and real-world problem solving throughout the unit. With extra focus on dominant and recessive genes, Punnett...
Beyond Benign
Kitten Creation
Your pupils become geneticists as they create cat offspring. The next lesson in a series continues an exploration of genetic makeup as scholars consider parent traits to build their offspring. Using household items, they create kittens...
Curated OER
Ladders of Life
Students explore the field of genetics. They examine four basic traits. Students demonstrate their knowledge of phenotype and genotype by charting their personal traits. Students compelte a Meiosis chart. From the chart results,...
Curated OER
The Electrophoresis of Human Hemoglobin
Students analyze different types of hemoglobin. They use the technique of agarose gel electrophoresis to separate human hemoglobin molecules according to their electrical charge, size, and/or shape. Students relate the migration of...
Curated OER
Genetics
Become familiar with the basic concepts of inheritance. Your junior high students work through mulitple examples of crosses and calculate probabilities of trait occurance. The explain the concept that each parent contributes one half of...
Curated OER
Characterization of the Bioluminescence (Lux+) Gene E. coli
Students grow E. coli strain HB101, which contains the plasmid pUCD607 with the bioluminescence (Lux+) gene. The plasmid containing the Lux+ gene is isolated from the E. coli, then characterized by restriction analysis.
Curated OER
Blood Business
Students identify the different kinds of blood. In this biology instructional activity, students investigate the antigens, agglutinins and Rh factor using their own blood. They use Punnett squares to predict blood type of offspring.
Curated OER
Heredity (Mendelian Genetics)
Students observe and record observations of whether a person is a taster or nontaster. They test selected individuals from their families and peer groups and chart all findings to determine which trait (e.g. taster or non-taster) is...