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...
Curated OER
Dragon Genetics ~ Independent Assortment and Genetic Linkage
Imagine a pair of dragons that produce offspring. What percentage of the hatchlings have wings and large antlers? An engaging activity draws genetics learners in, introduces them to alleles, meiosis, phenotypes, genotypes, and teaches...
Curated OER
Meiosis Lab: Building Baby Reebops
Students review the following vocabulary: Independent assortment, multiple alleles, and polygenic traits. They review their vocabulary by the "quiz, quiz trade" routine. Students work in groups. They are given one set of gene cards...
Curated OER
An Inventory of My Traits
In this biology activity, students identify and describe a number of easily observable genetic traits and compare the traits they have with other students. Then they identify and describe that some traits are common while others are not...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Patterns in the Distribution of Lactase Persistence
We all drink milk as babies, so why can't we all drink it as adults? Examine the trend in lactase production on the world-wide scale as science scholars analyze and interpret data. Groups create pie charts from the data, place them on a...
CK-12 Foundation
Modern Genetics
Genetic counselors advise their clients on the chance of passing specific diseases on to their children. Pupils learn about genotypes, phenotypes, and genetics in the lesson. Matching activities, multiple-choice questions, and a...
Curated OER
Patterns of Heredity
Students describe the differences between incomplete dominance and codominant alleles, and between multiple alleles and polygenic inheritance. They describe how internal and external environments affect gene expression. They then...
Curated OER
It's All in the Genes
Twelfth graders investigate the inheritance of traits through several hands-on activities that illustrate the transmission of genetic characteristics. Students study advanced topics including multiple alleles, polygenic traits,...
Serendip
Using Molecular and Evolutionary Biology to Understand HIV/AIDS and Treatment
HIV mutates rapidly, making treatments challenging to find. Scholars learn about why it mutates so quickly and how scientists race to find treatments. The resource approaches the issue from both a molecular and evolutionary perspective...
Serendip
From Gene to Protein - Transcription and Translation
Learners identify the different steps involved in DNA transcription. In this genetics instructional activity, pupils complete a worksheet and model the translation process with a paper chain activity. They watch a video on sickle cell...
Curated OER
Who's the Father?
Students analyze gels to determine parentage in this lesson about scientific evidence, investigation, and DNA concepts. The lesson includes a pre-activity worksheet, a final individual assessment, and student handouts for in-class...
Curated OER
Using Blood Tests to Identify Babies and Criminals
Young scholars solve a crime by matching a suspect's blood type to physical evidence collected at the crime scene. In this forensic science lesson plan, students identify the different blood types. They explain how blood tests work.
Curated OER
Dragon Genetics Lab-Principles of Mendelian Genetics
Students study genetic traits using popsicle sticks as chromosomes. In this biology instructional activity, students explain how traits are inherited from parents. They differentiate dominant and recessive genes.
Curated OER
Dragon Genetics-Independent Assortment and Genetic Linkage
Students build chromosome models using popsicle sticks. In this biology lesson plan, students simulate the Law of Independent Assortment. They use Punnett squares to predict the resulting genotype and phenotype.
Curated OER
Super Hero Genetics
Learners explore the concepts of phenotypes and genotypes. In this genetics lesson students work together to pick a superhero and determine the traits of the offspring.
Curated OER
If Your Mom Has Big Feet, Will You Have Them Too?
Students describe and apply the Mendellian principles of genetics, focusing predominantly on dominant and recessive genes. They demonstrate how two parents contribute genes and how those genes appear in their offspring. They describe...
Curated OER
Inheritance Intrigue
Students slve a case of unclear heredity using three lines of evidence and knowledge gained from the instructional activity in this biology instructional activity about Mendelian inheritance. The instructional activity includes handouts...