Making Genetics Easy and Fun!

Making Genetics Easy and Fun!
Kristin Majda CSU Channel Islands

Kristin Majda Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Education
BS Biology & Minor in Professional Writing, U.C. Santa Barbara Single Subject Clear Credential with CLAD, Cal State Northridge MS Biotechnology & MBA, Cal State Channel Islands Experience Technical Writer Ventura County High School Science Teacher Oxnard College Instructor: Biology, Microbiology CIRM Grant Analyst at Cal State Channel Islands VP of Gold Coast Science Network (GCSN), Operating Council for the Discovery Center for Science and Technology, Bio Science Alliance (BSA) Workforce Development Group, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Agenda Making Genetics Easy and Fun! This presentation intends to:
Demonstrate a fun lesson teachers can use to reinforce concepts of meiosis and Mendelian Genetics Introduce teachers to excellent resources for understanding and teaching genetics and biotechnology

Fun Activities Making Genetics Easy and Fun!
Lung Model (not genetics, but super cool!) Mitosis and Meiosis Play Dough Activity Mitosis and Meiosis Puzzle Activity Protein Synthesis Modeling Activity (using the Preproinsulin sequence) Can integrate peer-reviewed journal articles into the curriculum using this lesson based on the 1980 paper that solved the structure of insulin “Nucelotide Sequence of Human Preproinsulin Complementary DNA” published in Science.

Mitosis Class Activity
Interphase DNA Synthesis Use play dough to act out the steps of mitosis 1. Prophase Chromatin condenses to form chromosomes Mitotic spindle begins to form 2. Metaphase Mitotic spindle attaches to chromatid pairs and pulls them into alignment at center of cell 3. Anaphase Centromeres replicate Mitotic spindle pulls chromatids apart to opposite sides of cell 4. Telophase The cell membrane invaginates and pinches off between the two daughter cells

Meiosis Class Activity
Use play dough to act out the steps of meiosis Anaphase I 5. Random Assortment Prophase I 2. Chromatids pair up 3. Crossing over 7. Prophase II 8. Metaphase II 9. Anaphase II 10. Telophase II Telophase I 6. Cytokinesis Metaphase I 4. Chromatid pairs line up Interphase 1. DNA Synthesis

Fun Activities Making Genetics Easy and Fun!
Lung Model (not genetics, but super cool!) Mitosis and Meiosis Play Dough Activity Mitosis and Meiosis Puzzle Activity Protein Synthesis Modeling Activity (using the Preproinsulin sequence) Can integrate peer-reviewed journal articles into the curriculum using this lesson based on the 1980 paper that solved the structure of insulin “Nucelotide Sequence of Human Preproinsulin Complementary DNA” published in Science.

Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project
Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate Reinforce and help students differentiate between phenotype and genotype Reinforce that genetic traits are determined by genes, which are found on chromosomes Demonstrate the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes Demonstrate that many organisms, like humans, have two sets of each gene unless it occurs on the Y chromosome

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to this given set of phenotype choices: Gender male or female? Tail tail or no tail? (females cannot have tails) Eye Shape round or oval (almond) shaped? Eye Color brown, blue, green, yellow? Eyelashes has eyelashes or is lashless? Nose Shape circular or triangular? Hair Color black, brown, or yellow? Ear Shape round or pointed?

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Fill in Table of Alleles for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait For Females

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait For Males

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate Reinforce and help students differentiate between phenotype and genotype Reinforce that genetic traits are determined by genes, which are found on chromosomes Demonstrate the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes Demonstrate that many organisms, like humans, have two sets of each gene unless it occurs on the Y chromosome

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate Demonstrate the steps of meiosis and how this process promotes genetic variation through mutations (that occur during DNA replication), crossing over, and random segregation/assortment Demonstrate the law of independent assortment Demonstrate how meiosis results in four genetically unique gametes Demonstrate how sexual reproduction promotes genetic diversity through fertilization (joining gametes from two different individuals)

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Create gametes for your pet paper bag Step 1: DNA replication For Males For Females

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Create gametes for your pet paper bag Step 2: Crossing Over Random assortment Crossing Over Step 3: Random Assortment Step 4: First cell division

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Create gametes for your pet paper bag Step 5: Second cell division

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Find a mate and procreate This is their FAVORITE part Students LOVE to have SEX

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate Demonstrate the steps of meiosis and how this process promotes genetic variation through mutations (that occur during DNA replication), crossing over, and random segregation/assortment Demonstrate the law of independent assortment Demonstrate how meiosis results in four genetically unique gametes Demonstrate how sexual reproduction promotes genetic diversity through fertilization (joining gametes from two different individuals)

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Introduce or reinforce Mendelian genetics and practice making and using Punnett squares Demonstrate sex-linked inheritance and differentiate between inheritance patterns of traits on the X chromosome versus the y chromosome Differentiate between linked genes and genes that independently assort Reinforce dominant versus recessive allele expression You can also modify the project to make one or more sets of alleles demonstrate codominance or incomplete dominance Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Fill out the Punnett Square Worksheet There are two versions, one provides more help for less advanced students.

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Introduce or reinforce Mendelian genetics and practice making and using Punnett squares Demonstrate sex-linked inheritance and differentiate between inheritance patterns of traits on the X chromosome versus the y chromosome Differentiate between linked genes and genes that independently assort Reinforce dominant versus recessive allele expression You can also modify the project to make one or more sets of alleles demonstrate codominance or incomplete dominance Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait Create gametes for your pet paper bag Find a mate and procreate Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate Final check for understanding: can students go from genotype  phenotype

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Method 1 Use as a culminating project at the end of your genetics unit to reinforce key concepts or… Method 2 Use as a thematic project that spans your genetics unit and teach key concepts “as you go”

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Method 1: Culminating Project Day 1 Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices Day 2 Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait (use rest of period to introduce or reinforce meiosis) Day 3 Create gametes for your pet paper bag Day 3 Find a mate and procreate Day 4 Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring (first introduce or reinforce Mendelian genetics) Day 5 Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics Project Method 2: Thematic Unit Centered Around Project Teach genes, traits, and phenotypes Decorate “pet” paper bag with phenotypic traits Teach chromosomal structure and packing Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype Teach DNA replication, mitosis, and meiosis Create gametes for your pet paper bag Teach sexual versus asexual reproduction Find a mate and procreate Reinforce mitosis and consider optional enrichment topics related to developmental biology, embryology, stem cell technology, etc Teach Mendelian genetics Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict traits of offspring Give birth: decorate baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate Follow up with protein synthesis (gene  protein  trait)

Agenda Making Genetics Easy and Fun! This presentation intends to:
Demonstrate a fun lesson teachers can use to reinforce concepts of meiosis and Mendelian Genetics Introduce teachers to excellent resources for understanding and teaching genetics and biotechnology

Resources for Teaching Genetics
Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Genetics Genetics and molecular biology involve abstract concepts Animations are critical – they engage students and enable them to visualize microscopic and/or abstract principles The DNA Learning Center (DNALC) includes Animations Interactive websites Curriculum development tools Thematic lessons/units Reference material

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Genetics Real-time animations of transcription, translation, DNA replication, and many biotechnologies - Many are downloadable Stand-alone websites with excellent resources for teaching genetics and cellular and molecular biology

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Genetics

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Genetics Genetic Basics (NIH Publication No ) Free Guide from National Institutes of Health. The Genes We Share with Yeast, Flies, Worms, and Mice Free guide from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Office of Communications, 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, Maryland, The Human Genome Project Award Winning Genetics Resources from the University of Utah

Resources for Teaching Biotechnology
Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology Biotechnology… enables us to show real-world applications of genetics and provides opportunities for meaningful labs is part of the CA science standards for high school biology, but has applications to many standards across the sciences for all grade levels combines disciplines like genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology and cell biology; with applications in medicine, agriculture, environmental science, materials science, bio-fuels, etc.

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology Jobs in the biotechnology sector are increasing and there is a critical need for a vast range of skilled workers, from lab assistants to PhD researchers Biology and chemistry teachers can use applications of biotechnology to strongly engage student interest and stimulate student-directed investigation and experimentation in their classrooms

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology Biotechnologies include methods to: Cut (restriction enzymes), paste (ligation), and move DNA segments from one chromosome to another (recombinant DNA) and/or one cell to another (transformation) (Genetic Engineering) Make many copies of DNA segments (amplification) Identify individuals and/or diseases based on their unique DNA profiles (DNA sequencing, DNA fingerprinting, immunoassays, bioinformatics) Determine evolutionary relationships (phylogenetics) within and between species Turn genes up (upregulation) and down (down regulation), or on (gene activation) and off (gene silencing) Grow cells (cell culture), manipulate stem cells to develop into specific tissue types (differentiation), or manipulate differentiated cells to regress back to stem cells Create genetically identical copies of organisms (cloning)

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program Amgen Foundation provides all materials and equipment (including reagents) for eight comprehensive biotechnology labs.

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology Fold it Protein folding game

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology 3D Molecular Designs Cool models of 3D molecular structures that provide nice hands-on experience. Lends out molecular models for 2 weeks

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology DNA Sequencing Tutorial/Animation Exploratorium Teacher Institute Four week program in summer that teaches how to make all kinds of “do it yourself” activities ( or call ) McGraw Hill’s Biotechnology Animations Stem Cells

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology ELISA Tutorials/Animations Pregnancy Test Animation Use this website and a pregnancy test from the Dollar Store to show your kids how antibodies are used to identify proteins in body fluids like blood and urine Microarray Tutorial/Animations PCR Tutorial/Animation

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology Recombinant DNA Tutorial/Animation Gel Electrophoresis Tutorial/Animation

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology PyMOL to visualize small molecules and macromolecules in 3D. Protein Data Bank is a database that includes structural and functional information about proteins, including the FASTA files needed to display them in PyMOL. Jmol is a simple tool for molecular visualization that has an online gallery for easy access, with limited control over the appearance of molecules. Biomolecular Explorer 3D provides information about and 3D images of relevent biological macromolecules right on the website. PredictProtein provides analyses protein you input and predicts structure. Proteomics Tools

Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Resources for Teaching Biotechnology PubMed includes links to full text journal articles and other related resources. SWISS-PROT protein database. SDSC Biology Workbench allows scientists to search many protein and nucleic acid sequence databases. JCVI-CMR (Comprehensive Microbial Resource) maintains databases that include prokaryotic, plant, fungal, and parasitic genomes. ORF Finder scans a FASTA sequence for a segment of DNA to determine potential open reading frames (sections that code for a gene) Lipid bank Glycan Structure Database

Kristin Majda kmajda@yahoo.com
Making Genetics Easy and Fun! Thank You! Questions? Kristin Majda

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