1. Environmental Factors vs Genetic Factors

2. Environmental Factors vs Genetic Factors
Key Question: How do genetic and environmental factors influence the growth of organisms? Initial Thought:

3. Evidence Genetic Factors - In sexual reproduction
Each cell in the body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. One chromosome from each pair is inherited from your mother and one is inherited from your father.
Chromosomes contain the genes you inherit from your parents.
A segment of DNA found on a chromosome; determines the inheritance of a particular trait (hair color, eye color, etc.)

4. Evidence Genetic Factors - In asexual reproduction
The genetic factors are identical to the parent.
The offspring has the exact genetic information.

5. Evidence Genetic Factors:
Explain how genetic factors influence growth.
What are some of the genetic characteristics you might see in humans, dogs or birds?

6. Evidence
Take a look at the dogs above, and then use detailed observations about the dogs to answer the question:
Are the differences between dog breeds (in the same species) caused by environmental factors or genetic factors? Explain. Share out.

7. Evidence Environmental Factors: Watch “Why are Bees Dying?”
List what environmental factors are affecting the bees, and explain how they are affecting them?

8. Evidence
There are many types of environmental factors that would affect different organisms.
Some environmental factors could be the availability of water, food, shelter and light.
For a plant, the lack of sun would cause it not grow to its full potential or die.

9. Evidence
Environmental and genetic factors can work together to influence organism growth at the same time.
Organism growth is the result of environmental and genetic factors working together (e.g., water availability influences how tall dwarf fruit trees will grow).

10. Analysis
What are some environmental factors that could affect our growth?
Explain how genetic and environmental factors can work together to influence our growth in a positive or negative way.

11. Summary Minimum of 4 sentences
What did you think before about how genetic and environmental factors influence the growth of organisms? (look back at your initial thoughts)
What did you learn about how genetic and environmental factors influence the growth of organisms?
What evidence do you have that you learned this?
Further Thoughts

12. Reflection
What are some things you can do to influence positive growth for plants and animals.

13. Big Idea
Create a “Big Idea” for this lesson.