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Chromosomes genes & alleles

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  • SL Core /
  • Genetics Activities for Learning/
  • Chromosomes genes & alleles

The overall aim is to give students an insight into the rapid growth in our understanding of genetics and the human genome. A play list of short Ted talk clips illustrates the extraordinary potential of this field of Biology. Using the Quizlet flashcards students also learn the basic definitions of gene, allele, genome, gene mutation and the worksheet helps them to make clear structured notes which link to the IB guide.

Lesson Description

Guiding Questions

What is the link between the DNA molecules in each cell and the inheritance of our genes?

How does the DNA control the cell and what happens if it goes wrong?

“To get chickens we need eggs, chickens are what we need to get more eggs,
We need DNA ... to get proteins, but we need the proteins for the synthesis of DNA.
Which came first, DNA or Protein?”

(B. Karpicharov, Pharmacy laboratory technician & Handball player. Macedonia.)

Activity 1: DNA, Nucleotides, Genes, Genomes, Proteins and Disease

Watch the four short videos in this Youtube playlist. In each video a leading geneticist introduces and explains their work in the field of Genome biology.

To see details of the videos, or to navigate to the films individually, click the playlist icon in the top left-hand corner of the video below. 

(Activity 2 could be started while the films are being watched)

Activity 2 Basic Definitions

Complete the basic definitions on the Basic definitions students' worksheet:
Definitions of, gene, allele, genome and gene mutation are given in the IB guide so it is wise to use them.

Activity 3 Scatter game revision

Study these  Flashcards of genetic terms in this lesson. 
Then test yourself against others using the scatter game below.

Activity 3 alternative - Controlling gene expression

The following animation is a great way to recap the parts of protein synthesis, transcription and translation which are described on the seond page of the basic definitions worksheet.

 

This worksheet explains a bit more about the important parts of the animations and asks some probing questions.

*** LINK TO POVERPOINT SLIDES & QUESTION SHEET IN DEVELOPMENT ***

Plenary idea

Watch this protein synthesis video -  Transcription of DNA and translation of mRNA into a polypeptide

Further information

Teachers notes

Activity 1: The first video in youtube playlist for this lesson introduces the basic concepts of genetics in a very clearly illustrated talk.

The Second video on the 1000 genomes project explores the variety in human genomes and how this may impact on medicine.

The third video is revision about mutations.

Activity 2: Once students are familiar with the main terms the task is to describe and explain the link between genes and proteins.  The structured worksheet will help to record the main ideas.  The flashcards will help students to learn these things.

There are  Chromosomes genes model answers on this page (teachers can control student access in the group setting on the student access.  Use the "add/edit content" button at the top of the page.

Plenary Review - The Video would be a good thing to watch as a class at the end of the lesson.

Extension

There are some really interesting points about the human genome in this medical Ted talk with Ozzie Osbourne
  What can we learn from Ozzie Osborne's genome

As it is quite long this would be best as a homework activity.