New Unit: DNA

Monday, we started our new unit on DNA.  This will be Chapter 6 in the textbook, but we will also be using a module developed by HudsonAlpha in Huntsville to help the students have a deeper understanding.

Students have already been introduced to the "Miller Family" who will be our "patients" as we learn about how DNA works.

On Monday, we were introduced to each member of the Miller family and we investigated the family's health history. As an extension of this lesson, students were asked to inquire about their own family health history and we discussed the importance of them taking charge and being aware of their own health. 

Next week, we will be extracting DNA from the patient's cells and building DNA molecules using K'nex construction toys.   

The test for this unit is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 13th. 

Genetic Disease Research

1.        Choose 3 genetic diseases to research

Progeria

Achondroplasia

Down Syndrome

Albinism

Hemophilia

Muscular Dystrophy

Turner Syndrome

Sickle Cell Anemia

Tay-Sachs Disease

Huntington's Disease

Use these sites to find information:

http://www.genome.gov/10001204 

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/#cat20165 (Click Genetic, Chromosomal & Metabolic Conditions for a drop-down list)

2.  Of the 3 genetic diseases that you researched, which one do you think would be the hardest to live with on a daily basis?

3.  Write or type a letter or note as if YOU currently have the disease you listed in question 2.  Explain to the reader:   

A.  how you got the disease (inhereted?  genetic mutation? )

B.   what your symptoms are (bleeding, physical disabilities, mental disabilities, etc. - - be specific!)

C.  what type of treatments you go through (medicines, therapy, special diet, surgery etc. or there may be no treatments available)

D.  how this disease affects your daily life

Genetics Test

The Genetics & Heredity Test (Ch. 5) is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20th. 

This is the day before Thanksgiving Break.  If a student is planning to be absent this day, please arrange with Mrs. Smith to take this test early.   

Punnett Squares!

Tonight's Homework:

Punnett Square Practice Worksheet (front & back)
    *began in class today
    *for each problem, should have:  Completed Punnett Square, Genotype ratio & Phenotype ratio


Need Extra Help? 

Help sessions during break!
  *don't wait until it's too late! 

Punnett Square Tutorial

AMSTI Online Access

To access the AMSTI book, "Organisms from Macro to Micro", online:

follow the link under the "Helpful Links" section to the left of this post (or click here).

Student access code: AMSTIOMM in all caps.

New Unit - Genetics and Heredity!

We began our new unit on Genetics and Heredity today.  This information will be in Chapter 5, but we will also pull in information from LTF and AMSTI.

The students have been told to prepare for a little more homework and studying time during this interesting, but difficult, unit.

Egg Osmosis

The students have LOVED the egg osmosis experiment we have been monitoring each day.  Many have wanted to repeat the experiment at home.  It's very easy and you may already have the supplies on hand!

Here's how:

Supplies:   Eggs (uncooked), Vinegar, Water, and Corn Syrup (or other liquid)

1. Soak regular (uncooked) eggs in vinegar for about 2 days.  (This will dissolve the shell.)
2. You may need to gently run water over the egg to remove all of the shell.
3. At this point, you will have a bouncy, squishy egg!  (The egg is kept intact by the cell membrane.)

----Some of the students just wanted to play with the squishy egg, so some may stop here----

1. Soak one of the eggs in tap water for about one day.
2. Soak the other egg in corn syrup for the same amount of time (or you could experiment with other substances).
3. Observe the whether water has moved into or out of the eggs.
4. Switch the eggs.

Here are our eggs after soaking in water and corn syrup for 2 days. 

Here's a close-up of the corn syrup egg: