Introduction

 As you study the face in the mirror you see features of both your father and mother. You not only resemble your brother , but also your sister. How is this all possible? Explore with me and learn why these hidden features come forth at random to produce a unique human being ........YOU!

Genetics is the study of heredity. Heredity is better understood as the movement of biologically coded information from an adult organism to its offspring. Gregor Mendel, the "Father of Genetics" performed an experiment lasting 8 years that involved pea plants. Mendel studied the inheritance of traits in peas but his results apply to all organisms. This WebQuest provides deeper understanding of the essential terminology concerning Mendel's work.

 

 

 

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Tasks

 

 Basically you have three tasks to complete as you investigate this WebQuest:

1) You will research the web sites listed in the resource page.

2) You will decide on which of your personal phenotypic traits that will be presented in your culminating project.

3) You will complete a culminating project; either a poster, report, or word art document.

  

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Standards

The Vital Results

Communications Standards

 Information Technology

 Research 

1.18 Students use computers, telecommunications, and other tools of technology to research, to gather information and ideas, and to represent information and ideas accurately and appropriately.

Informational Sources

1.19 Students use organizational systems to obtain information from various sources (including libraries and the internet.)

Communication of Data

1.20 Students use graphs, charts, and other visual presentations to communicate data accurately and appropriately.

 

 The Fields of Knowledge

 Science, Mathematics, and Technology Standards

The Human Body

7.14: Students demonstrate understanding of the human body heredity, body systems, and individual development and understand the impact of the environment on the human body. This is evident when students:

aaa. Explain and model how information passed from parents to offspring is coded in DNA molecules (e.g., gene mutations, gene combinations);

   

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Process

 

 As you do this WebQuest I expect you and a partner to complete a culminating project depicting the knowledge of Mendellian Genetics garnered from your investigations. This project may be a poster, report, or a word art project.

Step 1 - Complete your research of the web sites that I have detailed on the Resource page in this listed order:

A) Background of Genetics

B) History of Mendel

C) Mendellian Genetics

D) Monohybrid Problem Set - optional

Step 2 - Obtain the handout Common Human Phenotypic Traits from the Biology classroom.

Step 3 - If you decide to complete a word art project review the benchmarks that are shown on the Resource page. This will aid you in deciding how to approach your culminating project. Sign out the digital camera with your Biology teacher. The teacher will assist you in learning how to operate this camera.

Step 4 - Decide which personal traits you will use to complete your word document. Note the assessment rubric and how many traits you will need to choose for grading purposes.

  

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Resources

 

BACKGROUND OF GENETICS	This article will furnish the reader with a history of genetics and Mendel's contribution to genetics.
HISTORY OF MENDEL	Background information - Click on MENDEL'S PAPER to read about the history of his experiments - There is more detail than the reader will need. This is also a good vocabulary builder!
MENDELLIAN GENETICS	Additional background and vocabulary.
MONOHYBRID CROSS PROBLEM SET	Assorted practice genetics problems.(Optional)

 BENCHMARKS

The following are examples of word documents that you can create with the assistance of the digital camera.  

Example 1 

Example 2

Example 3

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Learning Advice

 As this project is about your personal phenotypic traits, it will be a great deal of fun when you work on completing it. Review the Benchmark Examples in the Resource Section of the WebQuest. This will stimulate ideas on which of your personal traits you will choose for your project. If you decide to use the digital camera your teacher will assist you with the technology necessary to use it effectively. I suggest that you do not pick too many traits for you and your partner. It is always interesting to use a trait in your word project that is not common to many of your classmates. Review these traits on the Common Phenotypic Handout Sheet given to you by your Biology teacher.

 

 

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Assessment

Rubric for Culminating Project

  

NEEDS WORK	ALMOST THERE	ACCEPTABLE	ABOVE AND BEYOND
POSTER REPORT WORD ART	POSTER REPORT WORD ART	POSTER REPORT WORD ART	WORD ART
NOT ORGANIZED MISSPELLED NOT NEAT LESS THAN 4 TRAITS SHOWN	VERY FEW MISTAKES IN FORMAT AND SPELLING 4 OR 5 TRAITS SHOWN	WELL ORGANIZED NO SPELLING MISTAKES 6 OR 7 TRAITS SHOWN	WELL ORGANIZED NO SPELLING MISTAKES 7 TRAITS SHOWN
GRADE WILL BE NO HIGHER THAN 70%	GRADE WILL BE BETWEEN 71% AND 79%	GRADE WILL BE BETWEEN 80% AND 89%	GRADE WILL BE BETWEEN 90% AND 100%

  

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Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed completing the project on your personal phenotype. It is always interesting to learn more about yourself. You may want to continue researching genetic information that concerns you. I would suggest that you return to the optional Monohybrid Cross Problem Set in the Resource Section and continue a more in depth look at Mendellian Genetics.