Students learn that genetic differences exist in all of us. That diversity is what makes us unique as individuals. Phenotypes are the physical characteristics that we develop from our genotype (our genetic makeup). Both the environment...

Learners investigate how traits are passed from parents to offspring via meiosis and fertilization. They recognize that the combination of alleles forming a gamete is random.

Learners work as a class to first construct a pedigree of a popular singer, showcasing the singing gene being passed down through the generations. Students then make their own family pedigree and follow two traits through their family...

A three-page quiz about genetics, which includes Punnett squares, blood types, questions about Mendel and his contributions, and vocabulary comprehension. Use this for a study guide, a pretest/post-test, or a note-taking worksheet in...

Twenty-one genetics vocabulary terms are listed down the left side of the worksheet and numbered definitions in another column. Pupils match the definitions to the terms. A link to the answer key is provided. Where the content is sound,...

An interesting PowerPoint which provides the main facts, definitions, and terminology necessary for understanding DNA. It also presents summaries of the processes involved with DNA replication and the application of protein isolation and...

Students explore the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson, students distinguish between extinct creatures and those that still exist.

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...

Students randomly select jelly beans that represent genes for several human traits such as tongue-rolling ability and eye color. Then, working in pairs (preferably of mixed gender), students randomly choose new pairs of jelly beans from...

High school learners identify chemical and structural properties of DNA and explain the differences between genotype and phenotype. They develop a scientific investigation to determine the ethnic heritage of a large group of people. 

Ever been told you have your father's eyes? How did it happen? Young biologists get a hands-on experience in meiotic gene expression with a fun pairs-based activity. Participants use pipe cleaner chromosomes with trait beads to make...

Learners come to understand that in sexually reproducing organisms, such as humans, typically half of the genes come from each parent. Students examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given trait. The...

Students experiment with pea pods to observe/appreciate the diversity of individuals within a population, and to explain of how dominant and recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes help produce variation in a population.

High schoolers model traits on genes using colored paper and tongue depressors to represent chromosomes. In this heredity lesson plan, students use their "chromosome sticks" to understand chromosome pairs, genes, dominant traits,...

Students create a yeast dihybrid cross and follow two forms of each of two traits: red growth versus cream color, and tryptophan-dependent versus tryptophan-independent. They complete diagrams to represent the alleles, predict the...

Eighth graders explore how different organisms pass their traits to their offspring. In this life science activity, 8th graders differentiate recessive and dominant alleles. They predict the phenotype based on the genotype of an organism.

Students draws the child's face and compares "mother's" and "father's" perception of characteristics. One student draws the child's face; partner writes a biography of the child at age 30- what is the child like, what have they...

Students participate in an activity where they flip coins to determine which allele they pass on to the F1 generation and draw the resulting child's face. They identify several inheritance patterns including dominant, recessive,...

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.

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...

In this worksheet, students will answer 4 fill in the blank statements about Mendelian inheritance and meiosis. Then students will use Punnett squares to answer three short answer questions. Students will match 8 genetics vocabulary...

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...

Students research genetic disease and mutation causing traits in family pedigrees simulated in a class activity. Students are each assigned a genetic trait and a "spouse" and must conduct research on their traits and the probability of...