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Mendel Pea Plants
In this Mendelian genetics worksheet, students answer a variety of questions about Mendel's experiments and discoveries and they practice determining probability of outcomes in pea plants.
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The Cell
Students study the basic processes by which cells divide and transfer their genetic information. They recognize and distinguish possible inherited traits and through the discovery method of the facts and principles of inheritance. this...
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Pedigree Charts
Students explain how offspring inherit traits from their parents. In this biology instructional activity, students investigate the genes for nicotine addiction using an interactive website. They construct a fictional pedigree using their...
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Ethics and Reproductive Issues: The Dilemma of Choice
Students research various websites to answer questions and take part in class discussion regarding Prenatal testing. Students listen to an audio file and complete student worksheet. Students discuss different roles of people and...
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Birth Defects
Students discuss problem pregnancies and birth defects. They identify which birth defects are preventable and which ones are genetic, or inherited. They prepare reports on birth defects.
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Natural Selection in Protected And Unprotected Populations
Studnets compare how two elephant seal populations fare during successive generations. They participate in a simulation using a card game to look at the differences in two populations, one that is protected from mortality by human...
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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.
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How Do Organisms Vary?
Pupils study variation of organisms. They determine this variation arises from genetic and environmental causes.
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Peanut Butter Broccoli
Fifth graders explore food production by viewing DNA presentations. For this genetic engineering lesson, 5th graders discuss the foods they typically eat at home and how many common foods are engineered in a way that can produce a bigger...
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Innate Behavior
In this innate behavior activity, students compare inherited behavior and instinctive behavior. Students also look at behaviors resulting from internal and external cues. This activity has 4 short answer, 4 matching, 4 true or false, and...
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How Unique Are You?
Students explore how genetic information is passed down from parent to offspring. Because of this, they examine how this causes the variation in each species.
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My Family And Me
Students create a family pedigree, relate the laws of inheritance to a family pedigree, and determine certain phenotypes and corresponding genotypes of members in their family.
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Human Heredity II
Using deductive skills and reasoning based on the data provided about a family's blood genotype, blood phenotype, chromosomes, and genetic conditions, 9th graders answer the questions below. The conditions discussed are Down Syndrome and...
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Trait Variations for Survival
Young learners examine how different traits could give one organism an advantage over another. In groups, they view two different organisms in different environments. To end the lesson, they complete a Venn Diagram on the two organisms...
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Here's Looking at You
High schoolers assess some common inherited traits which are easily observable and note their phenotype for the trait. Students compare their phenotypes to those of their parents and attempt to describe the pattern and manor of inheritance.
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A PRICELESS Collection
Students read a story about the life of Russian plant breeder Nikolai I and Vavilov and the national seed bank he established. They research the Irish Potato Famine of the late 1840s and identify the cause for this famine and make...
American Museum of Natural History
Nature or Nurture Quiz
Eighteen questions ask pupils whether certain behavior or trait is based on nature or nurture. Scholars take a quiz, reflect on their answers, then challenge a friend or family member to complete it.
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Reading Comprehension 4 Level 12
Designed for English language learners, this reading passage and its accompanying questions focus on autism spectrum disorders. Find a way to interest your readers before handing them this somewhat heavy reading, as even many...
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Fruit Fly Ranch Activity
Seventh graders describe how the traits of an organism are passed from generation to generation. They distinguish between asexual and sexul reproduction. Students identify traits through genes and those resulting from interactions with...
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DNA Extraction from Yeast Cells
Students explore DNA. They work in groups and mix prepared detergent/ salt solution, meat tenderizer solution, Fleischman's yeast and water to extract DNA from yeast. Observations are recorded.
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Reptiles and Amphibians
Introduce your class to various reptiles and amphibians. They will meet and identify a representative from each of the four major reptile families, then learn about and discuss reptile characteristics. Next, they will identify and...
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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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ABO Blood Types Worksheet
Blood types and transfusions are explained in reading passages at the top of the worksheet. A chart of blood type compatibility is also provided. Biology students answer comprehension questions and then exercise critical-thinking skills...
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Turtle Shell Craft
Have your class learn about turtles and adaptation using this lesson. Learners discuss turtles, the unique design of their shells, and the ways they have adapted to their surroundings. Then, they make a paper bag model to simulate a...