View this Bozeman Science Video - Developing and Using Models

Think about a question that you have about basic genetics and patterns of inheritance. How could you design an experiment that would answer that question?

You can now choose to learn more about a related topic by researching it on your own.

Use this Patterns of Inheritance Investigation sheet as a guide, if you like.

Choose from these resources to help you with your investigation:

• Take the Tour of Basic Genetics on the right side of the website.

• Read SEPUP Activity 63: Show Me the Genes! Pages D-41 to D-47 in SEPUP student textbook Genetics and Heredity

• Do the Create an Alien activity (if you did not do this already)

Read about What are Dominant and Recessive?

Here are more resources to choose from:

• Learn about mutations from this video, or this reading.

• Watch How do viruses jump from animals to humans?- As you watch this video, listen for the connections to genetics. If you are not sure, go back to the Tour of Basic Genetics for review, then watch this video again.

The Challenge - Find a live animal and observe its characteristics (color, shape, size, etc.). Write about or draw what you notice and any questions you are wondering about what you see why does it look the way it does? What characteristics are helpful?

Materials

• A live animal to observe (try collecting a worm, ant, snail, or other bug from your yard or a nearby park)

• Drawing materials

• Magnifying glass (optional)

More ideas

Compare and contrast your observations and what you notice and wonder.

Try to find answers to the questions you are wondering about

• http://www.nwf.org/natureguides

• http://www.insectidentification.org.

• http://www.backyardnature.net/insectid.htm

• http://www.bugfacts.net/insects/php