1 - 12 of 13 results

How Do Some Cells Affect Mouse Color?

In this phenomenon-driven activity, students investigate how cells are signaled to make melanin and explain how mutations in melanin pathway proteins affect the coat color of various organisms.

Cell Biology
Genetics
Lessons
High School — General
High School — AP/IB
College

Analyzing Pedigrees

In this activity, students interpret several pedigrees of autosomal dominant and recessive conditions and consider the benefits and limitations of genetic testing.

Science Practices
Genetics
Lessons
High School — AP/IB
College

Winging It: Analyzing a Scientific Paper

In this activity, students analyze aspects of a scientific paper that investigates genes involved in the colors and patterns of butterfly wings.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Science Practices
Lessons
College

Inheritance and Mutations in a Single-Gene Disorder

This activity builds on information presented in the short film Genes as Medicine. Students interpret actual pedigrees to determine the inheritance pattern of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), an inherited form of blindness. They also examine protein sequence data to explore mutations that can cause LCA.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Genetics
Lessons
High School — General
High School — AP/IB
College

Stalking the Genetic Basis of a Trait

This activity supports the film Popped Secret: The Mysterious Origin of Corn. Students analyze data on the expression of the tb1 gene to explain how variations in this gene played a role in the evolution of corn.

Genetics
Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution
Science Practices
Lessons
High School — AP/IB
College

Tracking Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

This activity challenges students to provide their questions and ideas for experiments they could conduct to investigate the impact of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild. It accompanies the video Genetically Modified Mosquitoes.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Science Practices
Lessons
High School — AP/IB
College

Zebrafish and Skin Color

In this activity, students explore how experimental work in zebrafish led to a better understanding of the role of the gene SLC24A5 in human skin color. The activity complements the film The Biology of Skin Color.

Genetics
Anatomy & Physiology
Lessons
High School — AP/IB
College

The Teosinte Hypothesis

In this activity, students further explore the short film Popped Secret: The Mysterious Origin of Corn, by working through the mathematical concepts behind George Beadle’s claim that teosinte is the wild ancestor of maize.

Genetics
Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution
Science Practices
Lessons
High School — General
High School — AP/IB
College

Diet and the Evolution of Salivary Amylase

This activity engages students in analyzing authentic scientific data that explore the effects of different diets on the evolution of an enzyme that breaks down starch.

Evolution
Science Practices
Lessons
High School — AP/IB
College

Pedigrees and the Inheritance of Lactose Intolerance

In this activity, students explore concepts covered in the short film Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture about the genetic variations associated with lactose tolerance/intolerance and how the trait is inherited in families.

Genetics
Evolution
Lessons
High School — General
High School — AP/IB
College

How Novel Icefish Genes Can Improve Human Health

This lesson supports concepts covered in the film The Birth and Death of Genes. After watching the film and reading a couple of scientific passages, students explain how understanding about icefish adaptations might help develop treatments for health conditions.

Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution
Science Practices
Lessons
High School — General
High School — AP/IB
College