Virginia Department of Education
Mendelian Genetics
How did Mendel know which pea plants would demonstrate certain characteristics? Pupils explore the answer this question, among others, as they complete Punnet squares, research dominant and recessive traits, and explore hereditary...
Curated OER
AP: Chapter 23: The Evolution of Populations
How and why do populations change over time? AP biology aces explore this question by completing this assignment. They write the answers to 21 questions regarding population genetics, stability, genetic drift, polymorphism, and...
Curated OER
A Sputtering Image
Students explain the role of genes in heredity. In this biology activity, students predict the offspring's genotypes and phenotypes using the Punnett Square. They compute the probability of genotypes and phenotypes.
Science 4 Inquiry
The Monster Mash
Young scientists create monsters by applying their knowledge of transcription and translation. They randomly find the DNA, assign it a codon, and build monsters piece by piece.
Beyond Benign
Lucky Brand Genes: Genetic Traits
Explore single-gene traits in humans. After viewing a video introducing genetic vocabulary, individuals identify their phenotype and possible genotypes of specific traits. They consider both dominant and recessive traits. This is the...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Perplexing Polka Dots
Tell case study story of EMS-induced chlorophyll polka-dots in C-ferns. You will need to be familiar with the experiment, as there are some slides that have only photos, no text and no presenter's notes. By using this presentation,...
Columbus City Schools
Heredity: Traits, Genes, Alleles
If you knew people would pay extra for a bald dragon, could you pick which parents you should breed in order to get the highest number? The unit examines heredity and genetics through breeding dragons, mice, dogs, and tries to figure...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Lactase Persistence: Evidence for Selection
What's the link between lactase persistence and dairy farming? Biology scholars analyze data to find evidence of the connection, then relate this to human adaptation. Working individually and in small groups, learners view short video...
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
Let's Get Square
Students predict possible phenotypic and genotypic outcomes for avariety of common plant hybrids. They review and explain the characteristics of dominant and recessive traits and explore Mendelian genetics. Students plot the possible...
Curated OER
Comparing Fossils
Students explore early hominid evolution as they analyze bones that share characteristics of both apes and humans. Students compare and contrast key skeletal differences between chimpanzees and humans. In groups, they sort and group a...
Curated OER
Problem Solving In Genetic Disorders
Students explore the causes and effects of genetic disorders. They examine the phenotype and genotype of individuals and predict the recurrenence risks. Students generate a Punnett square and construct pedigree charts.
Curated OER
Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Heredity
Tenth graders discuss their physical features, and why they look the way they do. They listen as the teacher discusses DNA, alleles, and dominant or recessive genes. Students perform an experiment with different colored markers...
Curated OER
Blood Brothers
Learners study the blood characteristics of a number of distinct racial/ethnic groups. They build skills in observation, information gathering and processing. Students experiences strongly reflect the nature and intent of the current...
Virginia Department of Education
Building a DNA Model
It has been decades since the discovery of DNA. Still, activities such building this DNA model allow blossoming scientists to better understand the components that form this overall structure. During this activity, they will also...
Curated OER
Parental Genes
Eighth graders explore how different organisms pass their traits to their offspring. In this life science lesson plan, 8th graders differentiate recessive and dominant alleles. They predict the phenotype based on the genotype of an...
Curated OER
Karyotypes and Inheritance of Chromosomes
Students explore the mode of inheritance of chromosomes. Given a scenario, students use the Human Genome sheet to determine inherited chromosomes. They illustrate the difference between genotype and phenotype. Students develop a model...
Curated OER
Solving Genetic Puzzles
Seventh graders examine genetics combination using statistics. In this statistics lesson, 7th graders examine genetic trait using a table or punnett square to identify genotype and phenotype. This assignment requires more than one class...
Curated OER
Genetics Mendelian
Students explore genetic terms, the Law of Dominance and the contributions of Gregor Mendel. After discussing Mendel's lab and his pea plants students observe examples of a phenotype chart. Afterward, they conduct their own lab to...
Curated OER
Wearing My Genes: Basic Principles of Heredity
Students explore heredity. In this science lesson plan, students examine what heredity is, distinguish the difference between the dominant and recessive genes, explain the difference between phenotype and genotype, and predict the...
Curated OER
Teacher Preparation Notes on Genetics
Students explore genetics through various hands-on activities. In this biology lesson, students predict the probability of offspring genotypes and phenotypes using the Punnett Square. They explain the causes of genetic abnormalities.
Curated OER
Diversity and Adaptation
Tenth graders explore structure, function and variation among species. Through field observations, lab activities and homework, 10th graders observe and record examples of adaptation and variation.
Curated OER
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.