Genetics
Unit 2
Cell Cycle and Reproduction (13 days)
Enduring Understanding: The cell cycle is the basis for cell reproduction. Mitosis is an integral part of
asexual reproduction. Meiosis is the basis for sexual reproduction and provides genetic variation
through the mechanisms of crossing over and independent assortment. Uncontrolled cell growth may
lead to cancer.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.14.1: Describe the scientific theory of cells
What are the basic tenets to the
cell theory? (.5 day)
What is the role of discovery
science in the development of
the cell theory? (1.5 days)
(cell theory) and relate the history of its discovery to
the process of science.
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Students will identify the concepts within the cell theory:
1. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of
life
2. All living things are made of cells.
3. All cells come from pre-existing cells
4. The commonality of cell structure is also the basis for
their differentiation.
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Also address SC.912.N.3.5: Describe the function of
models in science and identify the wide range of models
used in science.
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Students will be able to explain the cell theory in terms of
discovery science and the gathering of data by many
scientists:
1. Hooke
2. Van Leeuwenhoek
3. Schleiden
4. Schwann
5. Virchow
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Also address SC.912.N.1.2: Describe and explain what
characterizes science and its methods.
Essential Questions
What is the cell cycle and its
major stages? (1 day)
What are the events occurring in
the stages of mitosis and
cytokinesis? (2 days)
What are the functions of mitosis
and the cell cycle? (.5 day)
SC.912.L.16.14: Describe the cell cycle, including the
process of mitosis. Explain the role of mitosis in the
formation of new cells and its importance in
maintaining chromosome number during asexual
reproduction.
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Students will describe the parts of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2,
Mitotic phase).
The students will identify mitosis as division of the genetic
material.
Students will demonstrate the events occurring in the four
stages of mitosis (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and
Telophase).
Students will describe the role of cytokinesis.
Students will describe how a cell maintains the diploid
chromosome number
Students will describe the role of mitosis in growth, repair
and asexual reproduction.
Essential Questions
How is the cell cycle regulated?
(2 days)
How is a cancer produced and
what is the difference between a
benign and a malignant tumor?
(1.5 days)
SC.912.L.16.8: Explain the relationship between
mutation, cell cycle, and uncontrolled cell growth
potentially resulting in cancer.
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Students will describe the three major checkpoints
regulating the cell cycle: G1, G2, and M.
Students will explain that the cell cycle is regulated by
proteins called cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases.
Students will be able to demonstrate how the cell cycle
regulatory proteins are themselves regulated by growth
factors and tumor-suppressor genes.
Students will be able to explain that mutations in the genes
coding for any of the cell cycle regulatory proteins may
alter the cell cycle leading to cancer.
Students will describe how a mutated gene may be referred
to as an oncogene.
Students will compare the properties of a benign tumor and
a malignant tumor.
Essential Questions
What is meiosis? (1day)
Required Topic: Mitosis &
Meiosis
SC.912.L.16.16: Describe the process of meiosis,
including independent assortment and crossing
over. Explain how reduction division results in the
formation of haploid gametes or spores.
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Students will be able to explain how meiosis has the same
basic steps as mitosis repeated twice.
How does crossing over contribute
to genetic variation during
meiosis? (.5 day)
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How does the independent
assortment of chromosomes
contribute to genetic variation?
(.5 day)
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Required Topic: Mitosis & Meiosis – Suggested Lab:
Biology Place Lab 3
Students will be able to define and identify sister
chromatids.
Students will be able to explain the connection
between sister chromatids and crossing over.
Students will be able to diagram crossing over and its
importance (genetic variation)
What is the importance of haploid
cells in sexual reproduction?
(.5 day)
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Students will describe the importance of the independent
assortment of chromosomes during the first meiotic
division.
Students will describe the importance of the differences
between the first and second meiotic divisions.
Students will describe how meiosis results in the formation
of haploid cells for sexual reproduction.
Students will explain why a second Interphase does not
occur between the first and second meiotic divisions.
Essential Questions
What are the similarities and
differences between mitosis
and meiosis? (.5 day)
How is meiosis the basis for
genetic variation during sexual
reproduction? (1 day)
SC.912.L.16.17: Compare and contrast mitosis and
meiosis and relate to the processes of sexual and
asexual reproduction and their consequences for
genetic variation.
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How is mitosis the basis for
asexual reproduction? (.5 day)
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Students will be able to summarize similarities and
differences between mitosis and meiosis:
1. Number of divisions
2. Number of daughter cells produced
3. Chromosome number at beginning (parent cell) and
end of process (daughter cells)
4. Crossing over occurrence
Students will be able to explain how meiosis is a source of
genetic variation through crossing over and the independent
assortment of chromosomes (Meiosis I) for sexual
reproduction.
Students will describe mitosis as being the source of asexual
reproduction.