1. Activity 11
Genomics

3. Read the introduction.
Explain the terms DNA and genes. How are these two things related?
For more information and suggestions on having this class discussion see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.

4. Get Started

5. How has genomics contributed to our understanding of heredity?
Challenge
How has genomics contributed to our understanding of heredity?

6. Student Sheet 11.1, “Three-level Reading Guide: Genomics,” presents statements that require three levels of understanding. Determine which statement are supported by the text.
Students fill out the Three-level Reading Guide after completing the reading. For more information on how to support them in this see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity and Teacher Resources III: Literacy.

7. A genome is the complete sequence of an organism’s genetic material.
Genomics is the study of a genome and its organization.

8. Analysis 5
What types of sustainability challenges have scientists researched using genomics?
Starting with students’ responses to Analysis Question 5, discuss with the class the ethical and social issues that are associated with the collection of human genomic data. For more information and suggestions on having this class discussion, as well as a sample student response to Analysis Question 5, see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.

9. How has genomics contributed to our understanding of heredity?
Revisit the Challenge
How has genomics contributed to our understanding of heredity?
Emphasize that the field of genomics has provided a large body of data about the genomes of humans and other species. For more information see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.

10. DNA gene genome genomics nucleotide Key Vocabulary
See Teacher Resources III: Literacy for more information on key vocabulary and the most effective strategies to enhance student vocabulary learning.
Note that bold words are formally defined in this activity. Words in regular font are used in the activity, but not formally defined. The definition of a key vocabulary word should not be discussed as a class prior to the formal definition being introduced.