DNA Quest

A Web Quest designed by Dianne Smithwick  

North Heights Alternative School

Biology TEKS 6 A-F

Introduction Task Process Conclusion Evaluation Links

Introduction

There are three young couples scheduled for DNA testing at the genetics lab where you work. The Froghoppers, the Slithers, and the Scalys are concerned about the potential impact of genetic disorders on their future children.

Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Froghopper have been married for two years. Some members of Mr. Froghopper's family have KBG Syndrome.

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Slither have been married five years. Mrs. Slither has a sister with Keratitis Ichthyosis Deafness Syndrome (KIDS).

Mr. and Mrs. Will B. Scaly are newlyweds. Juberg-Marsidi Syndrome (JMS)  appears in Mr. Scaly's family history.

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Task

Naturally, each couple has questions. Your job is to provide the answers.  Some you may be able to provide from what you have learned in Biology. Their questions and some useful links are provided for you below. When you have found all of the answers, you must then create a PowerPoint presentation in order to share your knowledge with the three couples.

Process

Answer the following questions.  ( Use the links provided below)

  1. What are the characteristics of each genetic syndrome named above?
  2. How are the syndromes believed to be inherited?
  3. What does each method  of inheritance mean?
  4. What is a karyotype?
  5. How can we tell which karyotype belongs to an organism?
  6. How can one tell if the chromosomes in a karyotype are not normal?
  7. What is a chromosome?
  8. Are the disorders caused by a mutation?
  9. How do mutations occur?
  10. What happens when DNA mutates?
  11. How does DNA control our traits?
  12. What is DNA made of?
  13. What does DNA look like?
  14. What is RNA made of?
  15. What does RNA look like?
  16. How does replication take place?
  17. How does transcription take place?
  18. How does translation take place?
  19. What are mitosis and meiosis? (include similarities and differences)
  20. Who discovered all of this?

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Conclusion

Now that you've located the answers, decide which couples will pass the genetic disorders to their children. Explain your reasoning. Include this information in your PowerPoint presentation.

Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated based on the rubric below.   The content of your presentation counts 50% of your grade.  Mechanics count 25% and Presentation counts 25% of your grade.  A total score of less than 70 points will result in doing the project again.

0 Points 1 Point 2 Points 3 Points 4 points

Score
31% or more of required information missing or incorrect. 70% of required information present and correct. 80% of required information present and correct. 90% of required information present and correct. All required information present and correct.

Content 
More than 30 errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation. 30 or fewer errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation. 20 or fewer errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation. 10 or fewer errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation. No errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization or punctuation.

Mechanics
Presentation of information poor in quality and effort.  Overuse of design or no design. Difficult to follow. Presentation of information below expectations. Design occasionally detracts from presentation.  Interesting in areas, distracting in areas. Presentation of information meets expectations.  Design enhances presentation.  Interesting most of the time. Little distraction. Presentation of information above expectations.  Design enhances presentation. Interesting throughout. Presentation of information exceeds expectations. Design is of professional quality.

Presentation
        Total Points  
Formula for calculating grade:   1) Multiply content score by 2. That is your score for that row. 2)  Add points scored from each row. 3) Divide the total points by 16. 4) Multiply that number by 100 to find your grade.

Grade

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Links

Hint:  Search sites thoroughly

National Organization for Rare Disorders Chromosomes
Genetic Science Learning Center Mitosis World
Cytogenetics Gallery The Cell Cycle and Mitosis Tutorial
Access Excellence  1953-1976 Meiosis Tutorial
Access Excellence 1977-1999 What Can Our Chromosomes Tell Us?

 

Introduction Task Process Conclusion Evaluation Links

 

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