Subject: Biology
Grade Level: 10th Grade
Unit Title: Unit 2- Inheritance and Molecular Genetics
Big Idea/Theme: Genetics
Timeframe Needed for Completion:
3 weeks (on a 90 min per day schedule)
Grading Period: 1st Nine Weeks
Understandings: This unit is focused on patterns of inheritance and genomics. Students will learn how genes interact, how traits are
expressed, how scientists study this inheritance, and current applications of this knowledge. Specifically, students will gain an understanding
of:
 Mendelian genetics
 Complex inheritance patterns including incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, polygenic traits, and sex-linked
traits.
 How to interpret pedigrees and karyotypes
 Uses of genomics including the Human Genome Project and applications of biotechnology.
 inheritance patterns and their control in blood typing
 Understand various human genetic disorders focusing on new treatments, the inheritance, the diagnosis, their application to
biology
 Understand how the environment, and/or the interaction of alleles, influences the expression of genetic traits.
 Understand how traits are determined via the structure and function of DNA.
 The process of gel electrophoresis and DNA Fingerprinting
 Transgenic Organisms and bacterial transformation
Curriculum Goals/Objectives (to be assessed at the end of the
Essential Questions:
unit/quarter)
1. Do you look like your parents? Why or why not?
2. How can we make predictions about what our children and
our grandchildren will look like?
Bio.3.2 Understand how the environment, and/or the interaction
3. What impact has genomics had on individuals and society? of alleles, influences the expression of genetic traits.
Bio.3.2.2 Predict offspring ratios based on a variety of inheritance patterns
4. If you could be tested for any disease, would you want to?
(including: dominance, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, multiple
Why or why not?
alleles, and sex-linked traits).
Bio.3.3 Understand the application of DNA technology.
Bio.3.3.1 Interpret how DNA is used for comparison and identification of
organisms.
Bio.3.3.2 Summarize how transgenic organisms are engineered to benefit
society.
Bio.3.3.3 Evaluate some of the ethical issues surrounding the use of DNA
technology (including: cloning, genetically modified organisms, stem cell
research, and Human Genome Project).
Essential Skills/Vocabulary:











How to interpret pedigrees and test crosses
Uses of genomics including the Human Genome
Project and applications of biotechnology.
Identifying cause and effect between genes and their
relationship to inherited traits.
Interpret and predict patterns of inheritance
Assess the impacts of genomics on individuals and
society.
examine the reactions of antigens and antibodies to
determine an individuals blood
Vocabulary
type
genetics
Analyze pedigrees and state the
heredity
most likely inheritance pattern
alleles
Model how different
genes
combinations of genes inherited
chromosomes
by offspring can produce
dominant
tremendous variations in
recessive
appearance.
homozygous
Examine various human genetic
heterozygous
disorders focusing on new
genotype
treatments, the inheritance, the
phenotype
diagnosis, their application to
gametes
biology
fertilization
Explain how traits are determined
by the structure and function of
zygote
DNA.
Interpret Karyotype
Assessment Tasks:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Genetics Facts and Fallacies Pre-assessment
Genetics Vocabulary
DNA from the beginning Web quest
Genetic Detectives Web quest Project (rubric)
Genetics Vocabulary Quiz
Learning Guide for Punnent squares
Learning Guide for Pedigrees
Complex Inheritance Worksheet
Blood typing activity
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/blood
10. Learning Guide on Sex-linked traits and sex chromosomes
11. Sponge Bob Quiz: Punnent Squares
12. The Royal Blight
13. The genetics of parenthood activity
14. Practice Interpreting DNA Fingerprinting (Gel electrophoresis)
15. Class scape Unit 2 Test
16. Cracking the Code of Life Movie (human genome project)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/program.html
17.. Writing Assessment Cracking the code of life
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/ideas/2809_genome.html
18. Karyotype activity
19. Writing Activity: Health Brochures on various genetic
disorders
20. Writing Activity: Question: If you could be genetically tested
for a specific disorder, would you want to and why?
This could lead into a philosophical chairs debate. (ethics)
21. Writing Activity: Question: If you are genetically
predetermined for a specific disorder, does your insurance
company have the right to adjust your rate?
Materials Suggestions:
NCDPI website- Biology Resources and Materials
Book the computer lab or mobile lab for a whole period when doing the Genetics Detectives Web quest.
www.pbs.org/dna
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/program.html Cracking the Code of Life Movie (Human Genome Project)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/programs/2809_genome.html Teacher resources and classroom activities based on Cracking
the Code of Life.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/ideas/2809_genome.html Writing Assignment Cracking the code of life