Lesson Plan: B2.4.04

Hamble Lesson Observation Plan
Learning About
How did a monk help us understand genetics?
Keywords:
  • Chromosomes : a thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes. (1)
  • Allele : each of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome. (1)
  • Recessive : heritable characteristics controlled by genes which are expressed in offspring only when inherited from both parents. (1)
  • Dominant : heritable characteristics which are controlled by genes that are expressed in offspring even when inherited from only one parent. (1)
Memory Anchor:
Method Precise Learning Objective Linked Question / Activity
(Designed for maximum working out)		 Stepping Stones Pitstop Check
(Thinking Map)
Students should be able to describe the development of our understanding of genetics including the work of Mendel How did Oregor Mendal develop our understanding of genetics?
Students should be able to understand why the importance of Mendel's discovery was not recognised until after his death. Why was the importance of Mendel's discovery not accepted until after his death?
In the mid-19th century Oregor Mendel carried out breeding experiments on plants. One of his observations was that the inheritance of each characteristic is determined by ?units? that are passed on to descendants unchanged. What observation did Mendel make of the inheritance of plants?

Watch a video clip of Mendel’s experiments (see resources). Video clip: BBC Bitesize –http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zwx4wmn Use a model to explain genetic inheritance in pea plants and using unfamiliar information.
In the late 19th century behaviour of chromosomes during cell division was observed What wasn't observed about cell division until the late 19th century?

Draw and label genetic diagrams to explain Mendel’s experiments.
Our current understanding of genetics has developed over time.

In the early 20th century it was observed that chromosomes and Mendel?s ?units? behaved in similar ways. This led to the idea that the ?units?, now called genes, were located on chromosomes. There are links with this content to Oenetic inheritance. What happened in the early 20th century to link Mendel's 'units' and chromosomes and what idea did this lead to?
In the mid-20th century the structure of DNA was determined and the mechanism of gene function worked out. There are links with this content to Oenetic inheritance. What happened in the mid-20th century to further develop gene theory?

Research the main developments in the understanding of inheritance and draw a timeline.
This scientific work by many scientists led to the gene theory being developed. There are links with this content to Oenetic inheritance.

Links To the Big Ideas
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