ABPI
The human genome project
Notes for teachers
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Age 14-16
Contents
There are three chapters that describe the human genome, relevant to the science curriculum.
1
Overview allows students to look inside cells to reveal details of the nucleus, chromosomes
and DNA.
2
Chromosomes in cells describes the human chromosomes and how they are made up of
DNA. Genes are introduced.
3
DNA, genes and bases looks at the structure of DNA and how the genetic code is made up
of bases that pair together.
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www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/genome/index.html
ABPI
The human genome project
Notes for teachers
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Age 14-16
Curriculum links (using the COL keyword scheme)
Life processes
Life processes
Cell structure
Chromosomes
Biotechnology
Variation, inheritance & evolution
DNA
Web links
Cancer and cells
www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/cancer/cancer2.html
Zoom into a cell (Flash)
www.schoolscience.co.uk/flash/dna.htm
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www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/genome/index.html
ABPI
The human genome project
Notes for teachers
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Age 14-16
Using the resource
1 - Chromosomes and DNA in perspective
It is difficult for students to get a sense of scale when talking about cells, chromosomes and DNA. The
first section helps students by using an animation that allows students to ‘zoom’ in and out of the cell.
Cells to DNA
Have students start on page 1 by looking at picture 1.
Students can zoom into the cell, revealing layers of detail,
by moving their mouse along the magnification line. It can
also be viewed in an animation if students click onto the
Zoom in Flash link.
Students can then use this information to complete the
activities on Student worksheet 1, Cells to DNA.
In the worksheet, students are required to put into size
order a range of structures from the whole person to
DNA within a nucleus. This also helps to reinforce the
organisation of body tissues and organs.
Students are then asked to place an enzyme, molecule of
oxygen, viruses and a bacteria on the appropriate part of
the size scale.
Coiled chromosomes
To demonstrate why chromosomes are coiled, give each
student a length of string (approximately 15cm) or elastic
band. They hold it taught and twist each end in opposite
directions. This twisting results in the string coiling over
onto itself, representing the coiling of the DNA into
chromosomes.
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www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/genome/index.html
Age 14-16
ABPI
The human genome project
Notes for teachers
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Using the resource
2 - Chromosomes and DNA
This activity aims to illustrate the relationship between chromosomes and genes, and also the
difference between a gene and an allele. This vocabulary is difficult for students and is often a barrier
to understanding the concepts of inheritance. The activity also shows why chromosomes are found in
matching pairs.
Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code
Student worksheet 2, Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code, provides a simple outline to illustrate
that chromosomes contain genes for different features. It can also be used to explain that matching,
or homologous, pairs of chromosomes contain the same genes in the same locations on each
chromosome.
Genetic information
How can chromosomes and DNA hold the information for the features you have?
Have students look at the information on page 3 which illustrates the base pairs in DNA. Stress that it is
the sequence of these bases that hold the information and can direct the activity in every cell of the body.
The activity on Student worksheet 2, Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code, helps students to learn
how bases are paired.
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Age 14-16
ABPI
The human genome project
Student worksheet 1
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Cells to DNA
Cut out the pictures and arrange them in size order from the largest to the smallest, forming a
scale.
Cells
Organism
Liver
Digestive system
Nucleus
Chromosomes
Liver tissue
DNA molecule
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www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/genome/index.html
The human genome project
Age 14-16
Student worksheet 1
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ABPI
Cut out the pictures and put them in the correct place on your size scale.
An enzyme molecule
Three viruses (CDC, USA)
Bacteria (CDC, USA)
Two molecules of water
S1-2
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The human genome project
Age 14-16
Student worksheet 2
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Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code
Chromosomes and genes
The drawing represent a single chromosome in your
body. Remember that you have 23 matching pairs of
chromosomes in every nucleus of your body.
gene for
eye colour
Each chromosome contains a single, long strand of
DNA. This contains the genes. In the diagram only
three genes are represented.
your allele
Matching chromosomes have the same genes in the
same positions.
Types of genes
Genes give the information for a particular feature. For
example, eye colour.
A gene is
a section
of DNA. It
contains
thousands of
bases paired
together.
tongue rolling
your allele
However, not everyone has the same colour eyes.
This means that there can be different types of the eye
colour gene. Common types are for the colours brown
and blue.
The different types of a particular gene are called its
alleles.
Genes and alleles in you
What colour are your eyes, can you roll your tongue and do you have
dangly or attached ear lobes?
1. Use this to write the types of genes that you have for each feature on
the chromosome on the left. Compare your chromosome with others
in the class. Are they the same or are they different?
The genetic code
The drawing on the right shows the molecular structure of DNA. It is the
sequence of the bases that carries the genetic information.
lobe type
2. Complete the table below to show how the bases always match
together in the same pairs.
your allele
Bases: Adenine
Guanine
Thymine
Cytosine
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