Genetics
Genetics is the study of the function and behavior of genes. Genes, the basic units of heredity, are biochemical instructions composed of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and are found inside the cells of every organism, from bacteria to humans. An organism’s genes, which reside in one or more chromosomes, determine its characteristics, or traits. The sum of all an organism’s genes is called its genome. In other words, the genome is divided into chromosomes, chromosomes contain genes, and genes are made of DNA.
Geneticists seek to understand how the information encoded in genes is used and controlled by cells and how it is transmitted from one generation to the next. They also study how tiny variations in genes can disrupt an organism’s development or cause disease.
Engage: Watch the video linked below - What are the 18 points made that you should know about Genetics? Write down the 18 points in notebook or google doc. Submit on slate.
Assignment 2: Why do I look like the way I do??? Genetics!!! (Thank you parents, grandparents etc.!)
Mendel's Inheritance - Read about Mendel and his research on genetics. Complete the questions at the end of the reading. Use your notes from the reading and answers to the questions to help you complete the following activities listed below.
Assignment 5: Genetic Variation
All individuals are 99.9 percent the same genetically. The differences in the sequence of DNA among individuals, or genetic variation, explain some of the differences among people such as physical traits and higher or lower risk for certain diseases. Mutations and polymorphisms are forms of genetic variation. While mutations are generally associated with disease and are relatively rare, polymorphisms are more frequent and their clinical significance is not as straightforward. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced “snips”) are DNA sequence variations that occur when a single nucleotide is altered. SNPs occur every 100 to 300 bases along the 3 billion-base human genome. A single individual may carry millions of SNPs.
Although some genetic variations may cause or modify disease risk, other changes may result in no increased risk or a neutral presentation. For example, genetic variants in a single gene account for the different blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Understanding the clinical significance of genetic variation is a complicated process because of our limited knowledge of which genes are involved in a disease or condition and the multiple gene-gene and gene-behavior-environment interactions likely to be involved in complex, chronic diseases. New technologies are enabling faster and more accurate detection of genetic variants in hundreds or thousands of genes in a single process.
Genetic Variations/Disorders: Click on the link. Review examples of genetic disorders caused by gene mutations. Research a disorder. Create a short slide show following the format in the power point provided.
Assignment 6: What about Blood Types? Are they same as other genes? Read the lesson and then complete the practice.
Assignment 7: What traits are carried in family? Using the information from both the previous lessons please complete the lesson on Pedigree charts for traits.
To analyze the pattern of inheritance followed by a particular trait, you can use a pedigree chart that shows the presence or absence of a trait according to the relationships among parents, siblings and offspring.
Assignment 8: How do Genes Affect Addictions? Read pages 1 and 2, then click on the link - "What affects the risk for Addiction? Do a self assessment on risk factors for addiction and protective factors by circling each statement in both columns that apply to you. Answer the 3 questions at the bottom of the assessment.
How Do Genes Affect Addiction_ PAGE 4pdfAssignment 9: Evolution and Genetic survival: Complete the lab by clicking on the link. Watch the PBS Video - Evolution 101 for background and instructions. Complete the missions and screen shot your "Tree of Life".
Performance Task Guiding questions:
What is the purpose of your project?
What do you want others to learn from your project or presentation?
How can you apply/use the information or skills you learned in your life?