Biology Students Delve Into Genetics (By Laura Robinette Minor, Biology Instructor)
DNA, Part 1: The Helix
Like Watson and Crick, our biology students used the structures of the components of DNA to uncover the way they form the double helix. Quite the puzzler.
DNA, Part2: Chromosomes
Students were given magnetic pieces and asked to arrange them based on observed patterns, but without additional help. They chose to sort the magnets by size and by stripe patterns in a variety of ways, realizing that there were two of each pattern that matched. They sorted and stacked to reveal that they had a human karyotype of 46 homologous chromosomes. They then constructed models of other situations where chromosomal numbers (e.g., Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome) differ.
Genes are expressed as proteins whose structures determine their function. Biology students also recently explored what happens to the functioning of protein enzymes when denatured by changes in temperature and pH.
Back
Like Watson and Crick, our biology students used the structures of the components of DNA to uncover the way they form the double helix. Quite the puzzler.
DNA, Part2: Chromosomes
Students were given magnetic pieces and asked to arrange them based on observed patterns, but without additional help. They chose to sort the magnets by size and by stripe patterns in a variety of ways, realizing that there were two of each pattern that matched. They sorted and stacked to reveal that they had a human karyotype of 46 homologous chromosomes. They then constructed models of other situations where chromosomal numbers (e.g., Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome) differ.
Genes are expressed as proteins whose structures determine their function. Biology students also recently explored what happens to the functioning of protein enzymes when denatured by changes in temperature and pH.
List of 1 items.
-
We are a
Family of Families
3000 Barton Creek Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78735 (512) 328-2323
Associations
Nondiscrimination Policy
St. Gabriel’s Catholic School and St. Michael’s Catholic Academy do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, gender, national or ethnic origin in : (i) the admission of students; (ii) the offerings of rights, privileges, programs, or activities generally made available to their students; or (iii) the administration of educational policies, financial grant programs, athletic programs, employment practices or policies, or other school-administered programs.