Genetics Study

Our study of genetics began with an analyzing our personal traits, traits of our immediate family-those that were shared and those that were not shared, and then traits of our classmates.

Researching textbooks and video streaming, we found that our traits come from chromosomes contained in our genes. Gregor Mendel and punnett squares became a focus for our learning for some time.

Using Mendel’s punnett square, we learned to calculate the percentages and ratios of Genotype and Phenotype inheritance for various traits in organisms.

This study included simple dominant/recessive inheritance, incomplete dominance, and co-dominance. Included was an inquiry-based lab focused on the effects of crossing of blood types and inheritance of blood types. We moved into AIDS (inquiry-based lab), Sickle-celled anemia, diabetes, and other diseases which can be inherited.

An exploratory lab investigating the effects of crossing blood types and inheritance of these blood types was our next line of study.

Following this, we investigated the phases of Mitosis and Meiosis in an inquiry-based “Egg” lab using plastic Easter eggs (cell), brads (centromere), and yarn pieces of different colors (chromosomes). Personal definitions were generated in this lab for the processes of Mitosis and Meiosis.

In the computer lab, we used the internet to find a “textbook” definition, photos or drawings of the phases of Mitosis and Meiosis, and thus developed a PowerPoint slide show about our study of genetics.

Samples of Student Work: