Unit: Genetics
Essential Question: Is who I am determined totally by my genes?
Target audience:
Understanding Goals:
Oregon State Science Standards Addressed:
Essential Question: Is who I am determined totally by my genes?
Target audience:
- 10th grade high school biology students
- Students will have a beginning understanding of biological systems and cell biology
- Students will be computer and internet literate and have access to the internet
- Students will have access to and familiarity with tools such as digital cameras and audio and video recording devices
- Students will be familiar with the web 2.0 tools that we will use in class
Understanding Goals:
- General history of genetic theory
- Be able to create pedigrees and answer questions using Punnett Squares and the Hardy-Weinberg equation
- Define and apply genotype and phenotype
- Difference between dominance, co-dominance, and incomplete dominance
- Structure and function of DNA and RNA
- Process of protein synthesis
- How Genetic information is passed from one organism to another
- Genetic mutations can result in positive, negative, or zero effect on an organism
- General issues surrounding genetically modified organisms, gene therapy, genetic engineering, and forensics
- Be able to make informed decisions about new and emerging genetic technologies
Oregon State Science Standards Addressed:
- H.1L.2 Describe the chemical structure of DNA and its relationship to chromosomes. Explain the role of DNA in protein synthesis.
- H.1L.3 Explain and apply laws of heredity and their relationship to the structure and function of DNA.
- H.2L.5 Explain how multiple lines of scientific evidence support biological evolution.
- H.3S.3 Analyze data and identify uncertainties. Draw a valid conclusion, explain how it is supported by the evidence, and communicate the findings of a scientific investigation.
- H.3S.4 Identify examples from the history of science that illustrate modification of scientific knowledge in light of challenges to prevailing explanations.
- H.3S.5 Explain how technological problems and advances create a demand for new scientific knowledge and how new knowledge enables the creation of new technologies.