Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Stalking the Genetic Basis of a Trait
Need an a-maize-ing lesson to show your class how regulatory genes work? If you use the well-written resource, they'll be all ears! Biology scholars discover the gene responsible for the evolution of the modern-day corn plant through a...
Curated OER
Controlling the Code: Molecules at Word
Students investigate how cells determine which genes will be expressed and which will be silent. In this genetics instructional activity, students use on-line resources to complete a worksheet and gather information about gene...
American Museum of Natural History
All About Cloning
Start seeing double. The American Museum of Natural History website provides pupils with information about Dolly, the cloned sheep. Learners find out the procedure used to create Dolly along with why scientists clone animals.
Curated OER
Reading the Dna Code: Making Protein
Students study DNA decoding and protein synthesis. They use the amino acid table to translate DNA, break DNA strands into three nucleotide codes, and translate nucleotides into amino acid protein codes. They research the importance of...
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Island Biogeography and Evolution: Solving a Phylogenetic Puzzle With Molecular Genetics
Learners engage in solving a logic problem based on real organisms and real data. They develop phylogenies for seven related populations of lizards living on the Canary Islands.
Curated OER
DNA Fingerprints
Students interpret different DNA fingerprints, then do a jigsaw activity to explore other uses of DNA forensics. They listen to a radio program about using DNA as evidence and discuss the limitations of and problems with DNA testing.
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DNA-B-C's
Students review what they already know about DNA. After reading an article, they discover a new technique to map the course of evolution. In groups, they create ways to present this material to younger children and research DNA's uses.
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(Clues to) Copying the Codes: Examining the Evidence
Students view animations of DNA replication and transcription and complete a worksheet. For this genetics lesson, after watching on-line video clips to gather information about DNA replication and transcription, student teams identify...
Curated OER
Genetic Disorders
Seventh graders discuss traits, traits that are inherited and how genes and chromosomes carry the code for traits. They research genetic disorders and their link to chromosome abnormalites and write a report on their findings. which...
ProCon
Obesity
Is obesity a disease or just a preventable risk factor for other diseases? Scholars attempt to form their own opinions by reading a background of the issue and watching videos that explore the main pro and con arguments using an included...
Curated OER
Model Organisms: The Genes We Share
Students gather information about gene banks. For 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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Molecular Evidence for Evolutionary Relationships
Students compare the amino acid sequences in cytochrome-c for a variety of organisms and use this information to infer evolutionary relationships. Students investigate the role of homeobox genes and what this indicates about the...
University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
Curated OER
DNA, Protein Synthesis and Mutations
Tenth graders investigate the chemical composition of DNA and RNA and how they work together to synthesize protein. They discover genetic codes, gene chromosome theory, and how the environment influences our appearance.
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Implications of the Human Genome Project
Students study the Human Genome Project through classroom discussion and the video, Cracking the Code of Life. They research reports about the issues of disease, human health, and the ethical, legal, and societal implications of the...
Curated OER
The Spanish Omelet
Learners use analogies to show the relationships among cell, nucleus, genes, chromosome, ribosome, replication, mitosis, transcription, translation, DNA, RNA, amino acids and proteins, genotype, phenotype, and genetics vs. environmental...
Curated OER
Human Origins: The Prehistoric Human Race
When it comes to the origin of the human species learners are full of misconceptions. Clear up the hominid confusion with this evolutionary activity focused on assisting students in understanding prehistoric man and his family tree....
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Cut-Off Genes
Students explain the concept of gene sequence analysis. In this gene lesson, students draw inferences about phylogenetic similarities of different organisms.
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Hierarchical Organization in Biology: Students Presentations of Neurobiology
Students gather (research) information on neuron structure and action potential. Students are guided to make inferences about the synapse and its relationship to neurotransmitter release and action. They are also guided to make...
Curated OER
Animals and Humans Say the Darnedest Things
Students explore and analyze human and animal communications and create a short film that illustrates their findings.
Curated OER
Family Medical History Pedigree
Students research his/her family medical history and produce a pedigree with information.