HS - LS3.A - Inheritance of Traits - ASSIGNED (ACM 3/27/2014)

Module: Inheritance of Traits

DCI: LS3.A Each chromosome consists of a single very long DNA molecule, and each gene on the chromosome is a particular segment of that DNA. The instructions for forming species’ characteristics are carried in DNA. All cells in an organisms have the same genetic content, but the genes used (expressed) by the cell may be regulated in different ways. Not all DNA codes for a protein; some segments of DNA are involved in regulatory or structural functions, and some have no as-yet known functions.

PE: HS-LS3-1 Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring.

[Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include the phases of meiosis or the biochemical mechanism of specific steps in the process.]

The ideas are: 

- each chromosome is made up of a very long DNA molecule

- each gene on the chromosome is a segment of the DNA

- DNA carries instructions for forming species' characteristics

- Every cell in an organism has the same genetic material, but the genes used may be regulated in different ways 

- Not all DNA codes for a protein

- Some segments of DNA are involved in regulatory or structural functions

- some segments of DNA have unknown functions 

Students are supposed to 'ask questions'.  We can only do this by setting up some kind of scenario and asking students what kinds of questions they would need to ask to confirm something, or correlate one thing to another.  For example, we might could say, "Students could confirm that DNA plays a role in the characteristics an individual inherits by asking which of the following types of questions?" And then, the answers might be like, "Do all individuals have the same exact DNA?, "What happens in individuals when there is a mistake made in the DNA?", etc. 

Possible Question Starters:
"Some scientists believe that the gene that controls the production of hemoglobin, a protein responsible for the binding of oxygen to red blood cells of humans, is located at the position shown in the diagram. 

Scientists could gather more information about the relationship of this region of the DNA and the production of hemoglobin by asking which of the following questions?"

correct answer - Do humans who lack this gene exhibit problems with oxygen binding to red blood cells?

incorrect answer - Do other animals, besides humans, have this gene within their genetic material?