Science Essential Standards Unit Development

Common Core Professional Development Assignment

7th

Grade: 7.L.2 (Heredity and Genetics)

Kristen Combs, Charles Leake, Barbara Simmons, John Sakel

Unit Topic Heredity and Genetics

Essential Standards Goals and Objectives

Standard 7.L.2 Understand the relationship of the mechanisms of cellular respiration, patterns of inheritance and external factors to potential variation and survival among offspring. 7.L.2.1 Explain why offspring that result from sexual reproduction (fertilization and meiosis) have greater variation than offspring that result from asexual reproduction (budding and mitosis). 7.L.2.2 Infer patterns of heredity using information from Punnett squares and pedigree analysis. 7.L.2.3 Explain the impact of the environment and lifestyle choices on biological inheritance (to include common genetic diseases) and survival.

Concepts Being Studied

Mitosis

Meiosis

Punnett Squares

Pedigree

Genetic Diseases

Inheritance

Essential Questions 7.L.2.1

What are the stages of mitosis?

What are the stages of meiosis?

Why is the process of mitosis and meiosis important?

What are the similarities and differences of mitosis and meiosis?

7.L.2.2

What are genes and chromosomes?

What are the causes of mutations?

What are the impacts of mutations on organisms?

What are dominant and recessive traits? 7.L.2.3

How is genetic material used in selective breeding, cloning, and genetically modified foods?

Essential Information Source: NCSCOS Middle Grades Science 7th Grade Support Document http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/curriculum/science/middlegrades/7thsciencesupport.pdf

Heredity is the transmission of genetic material from one generation to another.

A gene contains one set of instructions for an inherited

trait.

Traits are inherited physical characteristics.

A widespread misconception is that traits due to dominant alleles are the most common in the population. While this is sometimes true, it is not always the case.

Physical traits are determined by specific segments of DNA called genes. Multiple genes are grouped toether to form chromosomes, which reside in the nucleus of the cell. Every cell (except eggs and sperm) in an individual’s body contains two copies of each gene. This is due to the fact that both mother and father contribute a copy at the time of conception. This original genetic material is copied each time a cell divides so that all cells contain the same DNA.

Most genes have two or more variations, called alleles.

When two different alleles are present they interact in specific ways. Some alleles interact in what is called a dominant or a recessive manner. The traits due to dominant alleles are always observes, even when a recessive allele is present. Traits due to recessive alleles are only observed when two recessive alleles are present.

Because the genes of the parents are sorted and recombined randomly in the offspring, the offspring is different from the parents.

The process of meiosis produces sex cells which have half the number of chromosomes.

Inheritance occurs in patterns that can be predicted by the laws of probability.

A pedigree is a diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family.

A Punnett square is a chart used to show possible gene combinations.

Some birth defects are caused by abnormal numbers or types of chromosomes, such as Down syndrome.

Genetic variation may be determined by mutations.

Not all genes are completely dominant or recessive. In cases of incomplete dominance, genes combine and a mixture of both traits shows up.

Most human traits are determined by multiple genes and are influences by environmental factors.

Most human traits such as height, weight, intelligence,

skin color, and eye color do not occur in an either/or condition.

Essay Questions 7.L.2.1

Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis.

7.L.2.2

How can traits be passed from one generation to another?

7.L.2.3 What medical problems arise from mutations?

Project Ideas Heredity Genes and Chromosomes –

Create a skit or play about the different types of mutations that occur and how they impact genes and chromosomes.

Create a board game that teaches your classmates’ knowledge of genes, chromosomes, and the mutations that can impact them.

Dominant and Recessive Traits –

Research dominant and recessive traits that humans can display and choose at least 10 traits that interest you. Choose two friends to “cross” and predict what traits their offspring would exhibit.

Using photos from magazines or photo clipart, create a scrapbook that could represent three generations of a family. Track and share the dominant and recessive traits in each generation on each page.

Create a bulletin board display that shows various dominant and recessive traits in a species that was not discussed in class. Include a cross between two of the species that shows how dominant and recessive traits are passes on to offspring.

Changes in Traits –

Dog breeders engage in selective breeding in order to improve certain dog breeds. Create a brochure that explains this practice and when it is used.

Farmers and scientists have been working together to develop genetically modified (GM) foods. Create a news report that explains how this is done and shares your view on the creating and use of these “GM” foods.

Cloning has been a genetic reality since 1952 and various organisms have been clones. Create a PowerPoint presentation on these organisms that addresses how organisms are cloned, the ethical issues

behind cloning, and whether your support cloning. Mitosis and Meiosis Mitosis

Students have trouble remembering the order of the stages of mitosis and what occurs during each stage. Create a lesson for your class that teaches the stages of mitosis and their importance to the cell.

You have been given the task to interview a centriole about its job and its importance to mitosis. Create your interview questions and provide creative yet reasonable responses to the questions.

Meiosis

Meiosis is a multiple-stage cell division process. Create a board game that takes players on a journey through these various stages of meiosis. The questions should focus on the process and its importance in reproductive process.

Design an edible model that demonstrates the stages of meiosis. Use only food that can be handled and will not deteriorate.

Do all cells go through meiosis? Design an informational brochure for the process of meiosis that emphasizes its various stages, which cells experience the process, and its importance to all living things.

Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis

Some teachers explain that meiosis is actually mitosis happening twice. Is this a correct assumption? Design a poster that shows why a teacher may say that and if it is a true statement.

Write and perform a play in which a chromosome has to choose whether it wants to go through the processes of mitosis and meiosis.

Create a comic strip that shows the similarities and difference between mitosis and meiosis in a humorous way.

Technology Creating a PowerPoint presentation

Using digital cameras

Using smart phones, iPods, etc.

Using computers o Using programs including Photostory, Windows

MovieMaker, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word

Labs, Experiments, Heredity Tic-Tac-Toe (see attached)

Activities, etc.

Mitosis and Meiosis Tic-Tac-Toe (see attached)

Variety of Genetics Activities: http://www.msichicago.org/fileadmin/Education/exhibitguides/Final_Genetics.pdf

Resources Book:

Differentiating Instruction With Menus: Science, Grades 6-8 by Laurie E. Westphal

Mitosis and Meiosis PowerPoint (http://teacherpages.nhcs.net/schools/trask/charlesleake/Lists/Calendar/Attachments/83/Mitosis.ppt)

Mitosis Claymation Lesson Plan: http://uw.kqed.org/edresources/plans/mitosis.pdf

Mitosis Video: http://youtu.be/ZEwddr9ho-4 Mitosis and Meiosis Animation:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/miracle/divi_flash.html

Punnett Square Interactive Activity: http://www2.edc.org/weblabs/Punnett/punnettsquares.html

Drag and Drop Punnett Square: http://www.zerobio.com/drag_gr11/mono.htm

Drag and Drop Pedigree: http://www.zerobio.com/drag_gr11/pedigree/pedigree1.htm

Assessment All Purpose Rubric (see attached)