Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Zebrafish and Skin Color
You may not know if that zebrafish in your fish tank is a model citizen—but it is definitely a model organism! What can we learn about ourselves from a tiny zebrafish? Discover more about the polygenic trait of skin color through a...
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Who is the Sea Otter Related to?
Students examine the genetic relationships of different organisms. In groups, they discover the importance of genes and how different amino acids show various evolutionary relationships. They use an online database to continue their...
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Where Are the Dinosaurs?
Students explore the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson, students distinguish between extinct creatures and those that still exist.
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The Electrophoresis of Human Hemoglobin
Students are presented with a scenario that requires them to electrophoreses human hemoglobin samples in order to confirm a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia and/or to determine whether individuals in the scenario are carriers of the...
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Genetic Vocabulary Review
In this genetics vocabulary worksheet, students answer 13 multiple choice questions about the structure and function of genes.
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Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
Students cut out the nucleotide models and have an opportunity to relax and chat. Using imagination, students pretend to be molecules acting out protein synthesis and whole body movement.
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Scientist Simulation
Students envision the work of a research scientist, and the relationship between molecular biology and medicine. This activity allows students to imagine themselves working as research scientists by asking them to complete the end-steps...
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Model Organisms: The Genes We Share
Middle schoolers gather information about gene banks. In this biology lesson, students work in groups to complete an activity sheet about genetic databases and organism genomes. Lesson includes extension ideas.
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Cells Study Questions and Definition
In this cells worksheet, students define 14 words associated with cells. They answer 12 short answer questions about the structure and function of the cellular system.
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Secret Codes
Students examine Morse code and how it is used. In this secret codes lesson students decode messages, make their own codes and have other students crack the code.
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Experimentation with Teratogens on Zebrafish
Students compare mitosis and meiosis with regard to chromosome number in parent cells versus daughter cells, types of cells produced, total number of cells produced, and the number of divisions. In groups, identify and differentiate the...
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The Meaning of Genetic Variation
Students investigate variation in the beta globin gene by identifying base changes that do and do not alter function, and by using several Internet-based resources to consider the significance in different environments of the base...
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Scientist Simulation
Students imagine themselves working as research scientists completing the end-steps of a molecular research project and interpreting the data. They compare the gene sequences of normal and abnormal mice and evaluate the protein product...
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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...
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Proteins Expressed At Different Stages
Young scholars investigate protein electrophoresis in a lab setting. Full laboratory equipment is needed and safety should be taught. The level of prior knowledge needed to perform lab is high and is ideal for an honors class.
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Biology: Protein Study
Students in pairs, select and view proteins from the Protein Data Bank. After downloading the tutorial and instructions, they identify the protein's structures and primary biological functions. Then, students present their findings to...
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Endocrine System
In this endocrine system worksheet, learners compare and contrast the glands associated with this body system plus review the four major classes of hormones. This worksheet has 25 fill in the blank statements.