Genetics and Inheritance
© Johanna Goodyear.
Patterns of inheritance, Mendelian genetics, variation of traits, pedigrees
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Dogs—A Model for Modern Genetics
Lesson
Students explore variation among dog breeds, and compare variation within domesticated dogs to variation within wolves and other canids.
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Genotyping a Mixed Breed Dog
Lesson
Students follow the case study of a “mutt,” whose breed identity is uncovered by its owners through commercial genotyping.
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Mapping A Mutation
Lesson
Students learn about the genetic code and how small substitutions within the code can lead to physical changes in individuals, and use authentic data to uncover the SNP responsible for long hair in dogs.
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Genotypes and Phenotypes
Lesson
Students learn about how a change in the nucleotide sequence affects phenotype. They predict the outcomes of crosses between short- and long-haired dachshunds.
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Categorizing Hair Types in Dogs
Lesson
Students explore phenotypic differences in hair types found in the coats of different dog breeds, as they begin to learn about complex traits.
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Genetic Testing and Designer Dogs
Lesson
Students learn about three examples where genetic mutations are related both to desirable characteristics and to harmful effects in certain dog breeds.
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Genetics and Environmental Influences on Physical Traits
Lesson
Students test two alternative hypotheses to explain observable differences fruit fly eye color.
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Reebops: A “Model” Organism for Teaching Genetic Concepts
Lesson
Students create imaginary creatures, called “Reebops,” to explore the relationships between genes and inherited traits.
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Reproduction and Heredity
Lesson
Students will perform crosses between fruit fly strains and observe 1) the transmission of traits from parents to offspring, and 2) that offspring produced by sexual reproduction exhibit diverse combinations of parental traits.
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Inherited Traits in Humans and Fruit Flies
Lesson
Students will perform crosses between fruit fly strain with different physical characteristics and observe 1) the transmission of traits from parents to offspring and 2) that offspring produced by sexual reproduction exhibit diverse combinations of parental traits.
Related Content
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Introduction to Inherited Traits
Presentation
What determines the physical and biological characteristics of an individual organism, and how are these traits passed from one generation to the next? In this presentation, Dr. McNeel describes the basics of genetic inheritance.
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Introduction to Mendelian Genetics
Presentation
Mendel used experimental approaches to characterize a particulate model of inheritance. In doing so, he developed the three Laws of Inheritance. Examine how Mendel made his important discoveries.
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Introduction to Pedigrees
Presentation
A pedigree shows how a trait is inherited over several generations. Dr. Lisa Meffert explains why pedigrees are important, and the key factors scientists consider when studying pedigrees.