7th Grade Science HA
DNA Computer Activity
1, Go to “File” Save As” and save this document to your G Drive.
2, Do the Genetic Journey activity to see whether you have certain inherited traits. Compare your results
with someone sitting near you.
3. Read through The Science Scoop on the American Museum of Natural History's Gene Scene site and
answer the questions below. Type your answers in this document.
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What is a genome?
Approximately how many base pairs are in the entire human genome?
About how long did it take scientists to map out the human genome? How did they do it?
How alike are human beings? What percentage of each person's DNA is the same as every
other human being on earth?
Animals and plants, as well as people, have DNA.
4, Go to The Gene Scene and link to "DNA Detective." Go through this feature and solve the mystery.
5. Type answers to the following questions in this document.
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How was DNA used to solve this case?
How might DNA be used in efforts to protect endangered species?
6. Link to "Around the World with DNA" from The Gene Scene. Read about each animal discussed in this
section (humpback whale, spotted owl, Sumatran tiger, ruffed lemur, pacu, and St. Vincent parrot). List
these animals and explain in one or two sentences how DNA research is being used to help the species.
Type your information below.
7. Choose one endangered or threatened species that you are familiar with, or one from "Around the
World with DNA" (you should remember that the pacu is not endangered). Type a paragraph below
explaining how DNA and genetics research might be used to help this species.
More information about the animals you have already learned about can be found at these sites:
National Geographic: Animals and Nature Guide
The St. Vincent Amazon
Tigers in Trouble
8. Type a paragraph below on recent developments and discoveries in human genetics. The Gene
Scene has some information about this topic.
9. Complete one or more of the activities at The Gene Scene's "Stuff to Do".
10. Print this document and turn it in to Mr. Wiley.
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