Technologies

Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms. (MS-LS4-5) 

Vocabulary: hybridization, selective breeding, inbreeding, GMO, biotechnology, genetically modified, mutations, genetic variations, and polyploidy. 

Google Doc Worksheet

1. What is the purpose of selective breeding? 

2. Watch the movie and answer the Edquzzle questios.

3. Watch the movie and answer the Edpuzzle questions.

4. Read the Pro and the Con articles about GMO foods

5. Watch the movie and answer the Edpuzzle questions.

6. Think about the following questions and write your answers in the Google Doc. 

    a) Write a paragraph explaining if you think GMO foods are "good" or "bad" for our society. 

    b) Would you eat GMO foods? Why or Why not?

    c) Explain why GMO food could help society.

    d) How do you think GMO foods will change the future of farming. 

7. Watch the movie and answer the Edpuzzle questions.

8. Activity: Mendel's Laws of Genetic Inherence 

    a. What is Mendel's Laws of Genetic segregation?

    b. What is the Punnett square and what does it keep track of? 

    c. What genotypes would you need to get a green pea? 

9. Slavery was an important part of our history and slaves often harvested cotton. You might want to know more about cotton and how it is produced. Read the following websites to get more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/why-was-cotton-king/

http://www.ushistory.org/us/22b.asp

After reading the article answer the following questions

    a) What are the uses of cotton?

    b) How did cotton change the lives of African American slaves? 

    c) Why has cotton been genetically modified? 

Recommended Reading: Origin of the Species