Curated OER
Biology: Genetics and Heredity
Seventh graders explore the connection between genetics and heredity by examining the cellular structure. Among the numerous activities to engage students are drawing DNA molecules, vocabulary puzzle sheets, and predicting possible...
Curated OER
Finding the Structure: Pieces of the Puzzle
Middle schoolers gather information about DNA. For this biology lesson, students watch video clips of scientists discussing their contribution to the understanding of DNA, then work a puzzle correlating information to scientist. Lesson...
American Society for Microbiology
”Build a Bacterium” Scavenger Hunt
An exciting activity has scholars use cell parts to build bacteria through cooperation with other groups. Each group has some of the cell parts needed, but they must trade with other groups to be able to fulfill their function as a...
Curated OER
Extraction of DNA from Onion
Students study DNA by isolating it from plant tissue. They determine the purpose of each step in the isolation procedure as it relates to the physical and biochemical characteristics of the genetic material
Curated OER
Who Done It?
Pick and choose which activities to include in this crime scene investigation. Junior detectives can examine fingerprints, DNA, blood samples, or bone structure. The plan suggests you have teams solve a mystery, but it does not give you...
Curated OER
Who's Who and How Do You Know for Sure?
Young scholars investigate the applications of DNA fingerprinting, They read crime scenarios and using the details of the crime and laboratory experimentation decide the suspects guilt or innocence.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
RNA Diversity
Messenger RNA, transfer RNA, and ribozymes ... the many faces of RNA. The structure of RNA makes it much more versatile than the very similar DNA. Learners view a slideshow presentation to learn all about the different forms and...
Curated OER
Disproving the Proof
Students investigate the progression of discoveries that have led to the genetics knowledge that scientists currently have. They determine how genetic experiments disproved previous theories on inheritance.
Curated OER
Genome's Greatest Hits
Students explore the progression of discoveries that have led to the genetics knowledge that scientists currently have. In groups, students research scientists that have made important contributions to understanding the molecules behind...
Curated OER
Who Done It?
Students work in groups to solve various murder mysteries using DNA evidence to implicate suspects. Teams compete to solve the crimes the fastest, while using various scientific methods to accomplish their task.
Curated OER
Extraction of DNA from Onion
Students experiment with DNA by isolating it from plant tissue. They investigate whole onions to prepare DNA. They complete the experiment to examine the structural characteristics of DNA.
Curated OER
Pliable Proteins
Students make models of protiens using wire and paperclips. They are given step by step instructions with lots of information about proteins throughout the directions. They make the three basic structual elements of proteins;...
Biology Junction
Viruses, Viroids, and Prions
Are viruses living or non-living? According to the presentation, they are both and neither. Clearly, this requires clarification and an in-depth look at viruses, viroids, and prions. Young scientists learn about the history, structure,...
Curated OER
Pete And Repeat
Students draw a picture of a person from popular culture, then "clone" it using printing techniques in this Art lesson that tackles the questions surrounding cloning, DNA, and current scientific techniques. An emphasis is placed on the...
Curated OER
The Cytochrome-C Lab
Young scholars examine a method biologists use to try to determine relationships. They examine how amino acid sequences have been determined for a number of proteins, and how scientists can make inferences about DNA based on the amino...
California Academy of Science
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
At one point, all mammals carried only two color receptors, but now most humans carry three. An informative presentation and hands-on activity demonstrate how this evolved through genetics. By participating in the activity, pupils...
Curated OER
What is all the Fuss about?
Students brainstorm a list of science discoveries and inventions that they think are important. They work in small groups, students examine 1-3 science discoeries more closely. Each group needs a recorder, and they answer three...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Genes Can Be Turned On and Off
Regulations exist in many places from business to schools, but what about in our genes? Learn about gene regulation with an online interactive. It uses an animation to introduce the topic, many photographs of the scientists best known...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Visualizing Gene-Expression Patterns
How do genetics gurus know so much about gene expression? See traits materialize before your very eyes using a presentation with embedded simulations. Science scholars develop an understanding of the techniques used to follow the work of...
Curated OER
Meiosis, Gene Linkage and Maps
Students identify the structures that actually assort independently. They are taught how gene maps are produced. Students compare the processes of mitosis and meiosis. They are shown their (mitosis and meiosis) significane to sexual...
Atkins
Attack of the Viruses!
Not all viruses are bad, but are all retroviruses groovy? The instructional activity starts with a detailed presentation before scholars create their own model of a virus. The resource incorporates many worksheets and practice questions...
Curated OER
Biology - Virus Modeling
High schoolers research one of the many types of viruses. They create a 3-D model of the virus they researched with graphics software.
Curated OER
Human Genetics and Heredity
Pupils choose topics for research based on human genetics and heredity. They conduct research via the Internet and write a brief explanation of the milestone in genetics and heredity and attach it to a class timeline. They share their...
Curated OER
Cell Theory, Scientists, & Cell Types
In this cells learning exercise, students compare the characteristics of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Students describe how different scientists contributed to the cell theory. This learning exercise has 6 short answer questions and...