DNA and Chromosomes

• Genetics has many applications in medicine, agriculture and biology. Explain the basic terms and illustrate a simple diagram to show how traits are passed from parent to child. Build a model of a DNA string to demonstrate its complexity and provide examples of how DNA and chromosomes are the method of transmission for genetic traits. Describe how cells duplicate and what may cause things to go wrong. Analyze your DNA to learn about your ancestors. Extract DNA from plant and animal cells, and determine which cell was an easier extraction. Determine if DNA will survive when separated from other cell components. Research and illustrate how DNA can be used in forensic science to identify individuals.
  
  

Dominant and Recessive

• Work as teams to design a dragon using information provided on Popsicle sticks. Each "parent" chooses traits independently, and then the "couple" must determine what the dragon baby will look like when those traits are combined. Illustrate how you inherited your eye color from your parents. Demonstrate how cross-pollination can be used to create changes in food products such as corn or tomatoes. Illustrate the importance of genes in passing potential health risks from parent to child. Utilize historical examples such as the royal family in England during the 1800s. Demonstrate co-dominant genes by cross breeding a red geranium and a white geranium. Repeat the pea project that Mendel used to discover genetics.
  
  

Biotechnology

• Illustrate chromosomes and what can happen when there are mutations or errors. Research gene therapy and create a presentation on current technology. Demonstrate the effects of salt on germination of plants. Use yeast to ferment grape sugar as an example of anaerobic respiration. Grow tomato plants and inject carrot juice to determine if the tomato plant will exhibit any characteristics of a carrot plant.
  
  

Tips

• Genetics is a complex science with a variety of real-world applications. Utilize the students' interest to choose a specific experiment or activity. Incorporate media such as computers and video into the final presentation when possible. Ensure all research is done with accurate and reliable sources. Verify results with an expert whenever possible.