Exploratorium: Wild Type and Mutant

Details

Activity Description

In this activity, students are introduced to genetic vocabulary and learn about the inheritance patterns and genotypes of fruit flies by viewing images of fruit flies and drawing conclusions.

This activity, Wild Type and Mutant from the Exploratorium is an introduction to genetics and should be used before, Genetic Crosses, which explores the topic in greater depth. Genetic Crosses goes on to use Punnett squares to predict the results of genetic crosses and determine the genotypes of the parent flies in a particular cross.

 

Preparation

1. Review detailed Lesson Plans and Resources .
2. Preview and download the Drosophila images .
3. Download the student pages [Word doc] and provide them to the class.

How-To

Follow the link in the Preparation section (above) labeled 'Lesson Plans and Resources.' In the 'Procedure' section on that page, you will find detailed information on how to present this activity in your class.

1. Cover any new vocabulary presented in the Background section of the lesson plan.
2. Follow the Example Web Site link (above). In the "Getting Started" and "Procedure" section on that page, you will find detailed information on how to present this activity in your class.

Teacher Tips

• You might like to copy the What’s Going On? section for your students to read, but be sure to credit the source of the information.
• Instead of projecting the Drosophila images, you might print them on a color printer and have students work with them in small groups. You could also do this if you have no Internet access in your classroom.

More Ways

After completing this lesson, go on to Genetic Crosses for a more in depth study of genetics of fruit flies and Punnett squares.

Program Areas

• ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation

Documents

• Wild Type and Mutant.png - Screenshot of the Wild and Mutant Lesson Plan

Subjects

• Science
  • Biology
  • Health and Life Science

Standards

• Reading
  • CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
  • CCR Anchor 2 - Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
  • CCR Anchor 7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
• Speaking and Listening
  • CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

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