Cell Division

MS-LS3-1 - Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

Learning Target

  • Develop a model of the structural changes that occur in cells during cell division.

Success Criteria

  • understand what cell division is
  • describe the processes in cell division
  • describe the purpose of cell division

Questions to Ponder

  • How do cells make more cells?
  • Why would cells need to make more cells?
  • What could go wrong when cells are making more cells?

Cell Division Gizmo

  • Begin with a single cell and watch as mitosis and cell division occurs. The cells will go through the steps of interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. The length of the cell cycle can be controlled, and data related to the number of cells present and their current phase can be recorded.
  • Take notes (including diagrams) as you complete the Gizmo.

Back to Teams...

  • How do cells make more cells?
  • Why would cells need to make more cells?
  • What could go wrong when cells are making more cells?
MS-LS3-1 - Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

Learning Target

  • Develop a model of the structural changes that occur in cells during cell division.

Success Criteria

  • understand how structural changes in genes during mitosis may have harmful effects on genes.

Reading - What are Genes?

  • Read the following article about genes.

Reading - What are Genes?

  • Read the following article about genes.
  • Click on the article link to read about genes and how they are instrumental in passing along information to successive generations.
  • Answer the questions when you are done.
article
questions

Debate

Bioethics

  • The term Bioethics (Greek bios, life; ethos, behavior) was coined in 1926 by Fritz Jahr, who "anticipated many of the arguments and discussions now current in biological research involving animals.
  • Many religious communities have their own histories of inquiry into bio-ethical issues and have developed rules and guidelines on how to deal with these issues from within the viewpoint of their respective faiths.

Agree/Disagree/Neutral

  • Geneticists are very close to being able to alter genes in unborn babies. This could result in eradicating inherited diseases and conditions that some consider to be unfavorable. This could also lead to parents being able to choose certain traits for their children before they are even born.
  • Do you agree that Scientists should be able to "Engineer" our children? Why or why not?

Heredity