Exploring Genetics
Rationale
Part 1- Students navigate the "Tour of the Basics" module to learn basic genetic concepts.
Part 2- Students are actively engaged as Mendel guides them through this web lab. There are five sections to
explore the traits of pea plants that Mendel used to explain basic patterns of heredity.
Course
10th grade Biology
Related Academic Standards
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Standards and Anchors
3.1.10.B1
Describe how genetic information is inherited and expressed.
3.1.12.B1 Explain gene inheritance and expression at the molecular level.
3.1.10.B3
Describe the basic structure of DNA and its function in genetic inheritance.
Describe the role of DNA in protein synthesis as it relates to gene expression.
S11.B.2.2.1 Describe how genetic information is expressed (i.e., DNA, genes, chromosomes, transcription,
translation, and replication).
BIO.B.1.2.2 Explain the functional relationships among DNA, genes, alleles, and chromosomes and their roles in
inheritance.
Big Ideas
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Cells have organized structures and systems necessary to support chemical reactions needed to
maintain the living condition.
DNA segments contain information for the production of proteins necessary for growth and
function of cells.
Eukaryotic cells can differentiate and organize making it possible for multicellularity.
Hereditary information in genes is inherited and expressed.
Life emerges due to the chemical organization of matter into cells.
New cells arise from the division of pre-existing cells.
Organisms share common characteristics of life.
Structure is related to function at all biological levels of organization.
Through a variety of mechanisms organisms seek to maintain a biological balance between their
internal and external environments.
Vocabulary
DNA structure
alleles
genes
chromosomes
heredity
proteins
traits
Dominant
Recessive
pedigree
Objectives
Part 1- Tour of the Basics
Students will:
 learn the structure and function of DNA
 learn the relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes
 learn what a chromosome is and how many are found in humans
 learn genes contain the code for how proteins are produced to provide
structure and function in the body
 learn that parents pass chromosomes randomly and the combination of these
chromosomes make each offspring unique
Part 2- Virtual Lab
Students will:
 understand the principles of Mendelian inheritance.
 know the definition and significance of alleles.
 simulate experimenting with garden pea plants like Gregor Mendel
 explore the traits on which Mendel experimented, then cross pea plants to
see what offspring they produce
 simulate experiments with pea plants to try to discover which alleles are
dominant and which are recessive.
 will explore plant crosses and predict what the offspring of these crosses
will look like.
 explore all seven of the pea traits that Mendel explored to determine which
traits are dominant and which recessive
Essential Question(s)
What are the relationships among DNA, genes, alleles, and chromosomes and their roles in
inheritance?
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Duration
Class time: 1 hour
Materials
Student handout
“Exploring Genetics”
Computers with Internet access
Instructional Procedures
1. Pass out the handout "Exploring Genetics"
2. Go over the directions for the Internet Activity
3. Allow students to either work alone or in groups of 2
4. Have students get their computer out of the laptop cart and pass out the headphones
as they get logged into their computer
5. Remind students to make sure the volume is on and the headphones are plugged in
(encourage students the day before to bring in their own headphones for class)
6. Have students type in the address for Part 1- "Tour of the Basics"
7. Have students answer the questions as the module progresses through each section
8. Check student responses as the questions are answered
9. Part 2- Have students type in the address for the second website "Enlivening
Genetics Education"
10. The directions on the "Exploring Genetics" Handout should be followed to get to the
Weblab for "Mendel's Peas"
11. As the Weblab progresses encourage students to read the background information
and complete the tasks presented by Mendel
12. Students should record information and follow directions throughout the entire lab.
13. Any students who finish should go to the website listed last on the handout. There
are fun games, quizzes and tutorials to complete that review genetic concepts.
Formative Assessment
Teacher observations
Completed student handout
Related Materials & Resources
 Part 1- http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/tour/
 Part 2- http://www2.edc.org/weblabs/WebLabDirectory1.html
 Website for Genetics Review Games- http://www.amnh.org/ology/
Author- Anastasia Zabielski
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