PIctures from our human past

Human Evolution Part 1

This is our first assignment in what will become a quarter long project.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc39nfhs_58cs2hnbg2

You will need to keep a folder of ALL of this work for the quarter. It will be evaluated each week and will be used for your final exam.

Punnett Squares

Today we are going to look at how scientists can figure out the probability - the chance - that offspring from a set of parents will have a certain trait - like attached earlobes.

Part 1 - Read about Punnett Squares and do the practice problem on THIS SITE

Part 2 - Now read about sex linked traits ( traits that are carried only by girls or only by boys) on THIS SITE then do the practice problems on THIS SITE

Part 3 - Try the Sponge Bob Genetics Problems on the handout

For Or Against Genetically Modified Organisms?

We are going to be debating a group of students from Greene County JVS on March 10. We will be debating whether or not we should be genetically modifying organisms. Today you need to find 4 sources that are either in favor of doing this or against doing this.

HERE IS THE ASSIGNMENT to help you get ready for the debate.

Genetics and Designer Babies - Looking at Ethical Decsions

Yesterday in class - you and your partner created a baby - using coin flips to model the random selection of alleles that are contributed by both parents. Right now, we have no control over what genetic combination our offspring will receive. Read the article "Genetics Will Let Parents Build Their Baby" .

Answer the following questions:

1. Would you choose to genetically "program" your baby?
2. Do you think it is RIGHT to offer parents the ability to pick and choose the traits they would like their child to have? Explain.
3. How would you feel if you knew that you are the way you are because your parents MADE THE CHOICE to make you a boy or girl, picked your hair color, your intelligence etc. What problems might this cause?
4. The experts think that the ability to program the child would make our world even more competitive - do you agree or disagree with this? Explain
5. Would it be ok to program genes for health reasons? How would this change society?
6. If you knew in advance that your child carried a gene for cancer or some other disease - would that effect your decision to Have the child? Or would it influence how you treated the child once they were born?
7. George Annas feels that genetic engineering will add to the divide between rich and poor - explain your thoughts on this? Why do you think he feels this way?
8. Post a comment on this blog explaining your point of view on Genetically modified kids - give at least 3 supporting details to back up your opinion. The post won't show up immediately - I moderate the blog.
   

Genetics and Study Island Feb 24

Today you are going to do some interactive genetics activities to learn more about dominant and recessive traits.
Go to http://nature.ca/genome/04/041/041_e.cfm
Do PASS THE GENES and MIX THOSE GENES

When you are done, write up an explanation of what you did and what you learned about genotype, dominant and recessive traits.

Then, go to studyisland.com and work on your assignments. Remember, people who have NOT taken the OGT or NOT PASSED the OGT need to do any assignments EXCEPT the biology assignments. Juniors who have passed the OGT SHOULD be doing the cells, evolution and genetics assignments.

Taking a Fieldtrip With Charles Darwin

Yesterday you had a chance to read about how Charles Darwin's ideas and observations have effected science for the past 100+ years. Then, you had a chance to see how he started to develop his ideas by making his journey on the Beagle. Today you have a chance to take a fieldtrip with Darwin - this is an interactive site. You are going to learn that Darwin didn't come up with the THEORY of EVOLUTION - he came up with the THEORY OF NATURAL SELECTION - which is HOW evolution occurs.

TODAY'S FIRST LINK - use the red arrows to advance through the first 4 slides - then use the blue arrow at the bottom of the box when Darwin appears - Answer the questions that are asked on the trip - Answer questions 1-6 to turn in.

1. What are the 3 misconceptions about Natural Selection?
2. In your own words, explain what we can learn about Survival of the Fittest from Cave Salamanders?
3. Define FITNESS according to Darwin
4. Explain how phenotypes prove that Natural Selection isn't random. Give examples.
5. Define Environmental Selective Pressure
6. Why did long tongued salamanders have higher fitness than the short tongued ones? Explain how this shows that Natural Selection doesn't create variation.

TODAY'S SECOND LINK - Understanding the Genetics of Variation
Play FITNESS FEVER and keep a log of what you learn about your fish. READ THE INTRODUCTION SCREENS.

IF YOU HAVE TIME - Play the FISH ADAPTATION GAME

• How are the different kinds of fish living near the reef alike? How are they different from one another?
• Did the fish that you built succeed in the reef environment? Why or why not?
• In what ways is this activity related to the evolution of coral reef fish?
• Explain what it means to say that a fish is adapted.