Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

"From Genotype to Phenotype"

Bellwork:
1) A person with Bb for their eye gene will have _____________ color eyes.
2) ____________ is when parents pass their traits to their kids.
3) Are dominant or recessive alleles stronger?

- Vocabulary:
Genotype: The combination of alleles an organism has
Phenotype: What physical traits an organism has
- Complete "From Genotype to Phenotype" larkey worksheet
- Review Punnett Squares
- Complete "Punnett Squares 2" worksheet
- Exit Slip: on back of worksheet
1) What are TWO things you’ve learned about genetics?
2) What is ONE question you have?

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

"What is a Punnett Square?"

Bellwork:
1) We get ___ our DNA from our mom and ____ our DNA from our dad.
2) DNA curls up into ________________ to fit in our cells.
3) A feature we all share is ____________.

- Discuss genetic abnormalities
- Review genetics, chromosomes, and dominant/recessive alleles
- Complete "Dominant vs. Recessive Alleles 2" worksheet
- Introduce Punnett Squares
- Complete "What is a Punnett Square?" worksheet

Monday, November 12, 2007

"Dominant and Recessive Genes 2"

Bellwork:
1) Are dominant alleles stronger or weaker?
2) Chromosomes are ______________________.
3) An example of a trait is ____________.

- Review dominant and recessive genes ==> dominant alleles are stronger, recessive alleles are weaker
- Complete "Dominant vs. Recessive Alleles" worksheet
- Open Berwick Academy bulldog buddies packages
- Write postcard/letter back to buddy

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Friday, November 9

"Genetics Vocabulary Quiz"

Bellwork:
1) Parents passing on their genes to their kids is ____________.
2) DNA winds up into _______________.
3) Two ___________ make up one gene.

- Take genetics vocabulary quiz
- Discuss/review genetics, chromosomes, alleles, genes ==> DNA winds into 23 pairs of chromosomes, genes come in pairs on a pair of chromosomes, 1/2 of that gene (what is on 1 chromosome) is an allele
- Discuss how genes are labeled, also genotype, phenotype, and dominant and recessive alleles

Thursday, November 8, 2007

"What is Heredity?"

Bellwork:
1) ______________ make us look the way we do.
2) A feature we have is hair. A trait for that hair is ______________.
3) Genes are found in ___________.

- Review definitions of "genes," "feature," and "trait"
- Define "heredity": the passing of traits from parents to children
- Discuss and poll the variations (differences) between class members ==> look at hairline, earlobes, tongue curling, and pinky fingers
- Introduce larkeys and discuss their features and traits (Populations and Ecosystems Resources book pages 56-57) ==> poll their traits
- Define and discuss "chromosomes" and "alleles"
Chromosomes: What the DNA winds itself into, where our genes are found (23 pairs, 1 from mom and 1 from dad)
Alleles: 1 allele is 1/2 of the pair that makes up a gene, get one from mom and one from dad
- Define both in own words on "Genetics Vocabulary" sheet

Homework: STUDY for Friday's genetics vocabulary quiz (genes, feature, trait, heredity, allele, chromosome)

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

"Introduction to Genetics: Packing Your Genetic Suitcase"

Bellwork:
Why do we look the way we do?

- Define genes (the basic units in cells that make organisms look the way they do) and discuss how we get them from our parents
- Pass out "Genetics Vocabulary" worksheet and define "genes" in our own words
- Students pack genetic suitcases ("Packing Your Genetic Suitcase" worksheet) with the genes they have and got from their parents ==> must include eye color, hair color, straight/bent pinky, can/can't curl tongue, free/attached earlobes, straight/peaked hairline, and any other examples students can think of
- Students share what they packed in their genetic suitcase ==> we all packed the same basic features but those things we packed had different traits
- Define "feature" and "trait"
Feature: The physical structures of an organism
Trait: The specific way that feature is expressed
- Students give an example of a feature and trait they have on their "Genetic Vocabulary" sheet (ex: feature is hair, trait is brown color)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

"Election Day"

No School!

Monday, November 5, 2007

"Design Your Own Organism"

Bellwork:
1) An adaptation helps an organism ______________.
2) Fur is an adaptation because…
3) An example of an adaptation is…

- Review definition of adaptation and discuss examples
- Complete "Design Your Own Organism: An Experience in Adaptation" activity ==> Students create their own organism that has different adaptations to help it survive in a chosen environment

Friday, November 2, 2007

"CCA #2 Test"

Bellwork: None

Students complete CCA (core content assessment) #2.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

"CCA2 Test Review Game"

Bellwork: None

Students compete individually in a test review game to help them study for Friday's CCA

Homework: STUDY for tomorrow's CCA

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

"Practice ORQ"

Bellwork:
1) Give an example of an adaptation.
2) Hibernation helps a bear survive by _________________________.
3) Temperature can be a limiting factor because ________________________.

- Review limiting factors
- Practice Open Response Question for Friday's CCA