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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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Regents High School Examination: Living Environment 2010
This exam touches upon every topic within the typical first year biology course.. A broad variety of question styles give high schoolers every opportunity to show what they know. Why start from scratch when a comprehensive final exam is...
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Natural Selection
Young scholars observe, measure and record variations that may be due to genetic inheritance. They look at the length of seeds for germinating pinto and lima beans and measure the distance between eyes in humans. They graph and discuss...
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Variation in Human Skin Color
Young scholars classify themselves according to the six skin types. In this biology activity, students explore the causes of human skin variation. They present their findings in class.
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Comparing Chimp mtDNA to Learn about Races
In this computer-based lesson, students will measure genetic diversity within and between three subspecies of chimpanzees in order to gain a better understanding of genetic distinctiveness and explore race as a genetic concept.
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Risk Factor Roulette
Students examine "multiple chemical sensitivity" and how it relates to genetic variation and environmental factors. They read an article, conduct research, and identify risk factors related to chemical sensitivity, asthma, breast cancer,...
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Comparing mtDNA Sequences to Learn about Human Variation
This computer-based lesson will enable students to test their notions of "racial" similarity and difference by comparing mtDNA sequences as the students do in the first episode of RACE - The Power of an Illusion.
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Seed Selection for Genetic Variation
Young scholars will research the origin of corn, analyze factors that contribute to shorter and longer growing seasons, and use the scientific method to answer the question: Did seed selection contribute to the successful movement of...
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Gene Action/Mutation Worksheet
High schoolers define the following terms: mutation, mutagen and give examples of how they work. They also define and illustrate a point mutation. Students define and illustrate a frame shift mutation and name two types of frame shift...
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Biology Honors Final Project
Tenth graders work on a project about cellular biology and genetics. In this biology instructional activity, 10th graders research about the assigned human body system and genetic disorders that affect it. They create a multimedia...
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Bears of Banff
Young scholars pretend they have just entered a national park. They imagine that the park borders are all impassable mountains, and students will play the role of grizzly bears. Young scholars list three things every animal needs to...
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Genes, Environments, and Behavior 2
Learners explore the genetic and environmental factors that interact to produce variation in behavior across a population. They are introduced to the various approaches scientists use to explore this interaction. Students explore how...
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Meiosis
Students study meiosis and how it leads to variation. In this genetic reproduction lesson students complete a lab activity that calculates different genetic possibilities.
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Preserving Health Through Biological Diversity
Students research and explore the benefits of biodiversity, particularly as it relates to human health. They write an essay in which they explain the possible effect of human activities on the emergence of new diseases.
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Wilderness
Students examine the dynamic between animals and humans in the wilderness. They work together in groups share their journal entries when asked to reflect on natural areas.
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Swinging on a Star
Students explore the issues that might arise if humans were to go on an interstellar space mission. They synthesize their understanding of interstellar travel by writing scenes from a science fiction novel that would depict such a mission.
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The Empirical Challenges of Racial Classification
This lesson will help students examine their preconceptions and assumptions about racial categories and understand the impossibility of constructing a consistent system of human racial classification.
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Genes, Environments, and Behavior 1
Young scholars examine how scientists study the genetic and environmental factors that interact to produce variation in behavior across a population.
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Modeling Allele Distribution Through Meiosis and Fertilization
The main objective of this activity is to illustrate the variation that results from crossing-over during prophase I of meiosis. Other sources of variation from generation to generation are: (1) independent assortment (223 possible...
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Genes, Environments, and Behavior 2
Students explore how scientists study the genetic and environmental factors that interact to produce variation in behavior across a population.
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Nature vs. Nurture
Eighth graders investigate the concept of nature versus nurture in human development through this series of lessons.
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Panther Scavenger Hunt
Students examine the Florida Panthers through a Web-quest. In this web-based lesson plan, students find clues that will help them to identify the habitat of the Florida Panther and the history of human activity which threatens these wild...
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Biodiversity Bird Hunt
Learners examine the influence of biodiversity on human culture through the use of birds. They brainstorm words that come to mind when they think of human cultures. They describe ways that human culture and biodiversity are linked.
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Why do we need Vitamin C in our diet? Or Why do we carry old inactive genes in our genome?
Students explore and explain how mutations in the DNA sequence of a gene may be silent or result in phenotypic change in an organism and in its offspring. They analyze how evolution and biodiversity are the result of genetic changes that...