Genetics - Hemoglobin Posters

Hemoglobin Posters

Teacher: Ilayna Pickett
Subject: sickle cell anemia, cell structure
Grade Level(s): 12
Target Audience: Biology II
Materials Needed: resource materials
Class Time: Approximately 100 minutes
Brief Summary: Students in Advanced Biology prepare a poster showing the structure of normal and abnormal (sickle cell) hemoglobin. The poster includes models of primary, secondary, tertiary and quadranary structure. The posters were then critiqued by (and used to teach) students in 10th grade honors biology.
Student Objective(s): To model and describe protein structure and function as dictated by DNA coding. To illustrate how a change in the DNA can result in changed form and function of the protein. Develop criteria by which quality work can be judged.
Integration (tying it all together): This activity is designed to tie the students knowledge of protein structure to DNA coding. Using the posters to instruct younger students gives an authentic audience.
Description of Activities: Hemoglobin Posters: 1.) Give Assignment: Students work in pairs to read background materials, brainstorm ways to make models and design a "rough draft" of their poster. 2.) Work Session: Pairs work to create the models and information for the poster. note: much of the real work of understanding structure comes in actually creating the models. 3.) Posters are critiqued and used to give information to sophomores in Honors Biology. The advanced students have designed a rubric to be used in the critique.
Further Information and References: Plain English Map of the Human Chromosome, Susan Offner and Science Kit Boreal Blood: Bearer of Life and Death, Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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