Genetics - Basic Human Inheritance Patterns

Basic Human Inheritance Patterns

Teacher: Sadhana R. Neurgaonkar: Thousand Oaks, CA
Subject: Basic Inheritance Patterns
Grade Level(s): 10 11 12
Target Audience: Biology I, Biology II, Genetics
Materials Needed: paper, colored yarn, scotch tape, pencils
Class Time: 2 periods
Brief Summary: Using simple tools such as colored yarn and paper, students create long banners showing stages of meiosis (spermatogenesis and oogenesis) and formation of gametes. These projects are used again when studying crossing over, gene linkage, segregation and independent assortment of alleles in the gametes and studying certain human inheritance patterns.
Student Objective(s): To study the stages of the cell division (meiosis) which results in the formation of gametes. To study topics as crossing over, gene linkage, and human inheritance patterns in certain diseases.
Description of Activities: Students will use the petri dish to draw cell outline and will start with two homologous pairs of chromosomes (two long red and two short blue). Using yarn and scotch tape, the students will complete the stages of meiosis in each cell. They will show the results of meiosis, the gametes having half the number of chromosomes. Students will label the stages and draw other details of the cell division such as centrioles, aster formation, spindle formation, etc. Use the paper-yarn models to study crossing over and gene linkage. Teacher will assign certain genes showing specific traits to the chromosomes in the parent cell. Students will have to follow the course of those genes as the chromosomes cross and then segregate.
Integration (tying it all together): It is very helpful if these models are made when studying cell division. These then can be displayed in the class and then the teacher can refer to them from time to time. Using different colored yarn, make the project very attractive. You can use more than two homologous pairs of chromosomes. This can lead to create a "baby lab" where many traits are used to figure out what sort of offspring will result if the gametes were to unite.

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