Subject:

Biology

Type of Lesson:

Internet use, Use of Photographs,

Group activity, Discussion, Power
Point slides for summary/revision

Grade:

11

CSEC OBJ:

Students should be able to:

C 3:1 describe a chromosome as a
length of DNA sections of which are
genes.
C 3:2 explain the meaning of terms:
gene, allele, dominant, recessive,
genotype, phenotype.

Term:

UNIT: 15

Continuity and Variation

Duration:

2 X 40 minutes

Lesson: 1

Introduction to Genetics

Week: 10

Objectives
You should be able to:
1) recall that a chromosome is a length of DNA sections which are
genes.
2) explain with examples, the meaning of terms gene, genotype,
phenotype, trait, dominant, recessive and allele.
3) appreciate your uniqueness as a member of a family with similar
traits.
Prerequisite Student Knowledge
You should be familiar with/know that:
Important Note
There are two basic
types of cell in a
multicellular organism:
somatic, or body, cells,
and germ, or
reproductive, cells.
Read more:
http://www.answers.co
m/topic/genetics#ixzz1
D6VEuI6T

1) chromosomes are structures found in the nucleus which regulate

activities of the cell and are responsible for passing information on
to the next generation.
2) the processes of mitosis and meiosis.
3) the process of sexual reproduction in humans.

Student Instructional Material

Important Points

Reminder
Each human body cell
contains 46
chromosomes (or 23
pairs) while each gamete
contains 23
chromosomes = haploid
number

1) The double helix of DNA determines the individual characteristics

of an organism.
2) A chromosome is a threadlike structure which is a storage unit for
DNA.
3) DNA is coiled around some proteins which are packed tightly
together until they form a chromosome.
4) DNA carries genes in a linear sequence as short sections of a DNA
molecule are referred to as genes
5) A gene is defined as a length of DNA that codes for a particular
protein or polypeptide, such as an enzyme. It is the smallest unit
of inheritance in any organism. Genes are used to store information
about the specie and the individual.
6) Genes encode the instructions that define our traits. We all have
thousands of genes found in chromosomes.
7) Genetics is the study of genes and the inheritance of traits.
8) Genetic information is passed from one generation to another
during sexual reproduction within specialized cell called gametes.
Each gamete contains one-half of the genetic information,
contributed by each parent which is inherited by an individual.
9) During fertilization, when one male gamete fuses with one female
gamete the new cell formed is called a zygote. This new cell which
develops to form the new individual contains genetic information
from both parents.

Key Terms
Allele

Chromosome

DNA

Dominant

Gene

Generation

Genetic code

Genetics

Genotype

Genome

Heredity

Heterozygous

Homozygous

Inheritance

Phenotype

Recessive

Trait

Challenge Areas
1) Interview older members of an athletic or a musical family of your
choice and ask them the following questions

Student Instructional Material

1. Can you identify two features peculiar to your family, which

has made you successful in the particular sport/music?
2. What sequence of events led to your involvement in that sport
or type of music?
3. Are the family sportswomen/sportsmen or musicians involved - in other types of sports/music?
- in training programmes
2) Write a report based on this interview about the input of genetics in
sporting/musical prowess.
Equipment/Materials Needed
Photographs of families with various traits for comparing (e.g. brown
eye vs blue eye, detached earlobe vs. attached earlobe; dimples vs. no
dimples; freckles vs. no freckles; straight thumb vs. curved thumb);
textbook, computer and multi-media equipment set up by your teacher,
internet access, Power Point slides to be shown by your teacher.
Note to Student
Equipment will be set up beforehand and set to play.
You will be assigned to groups. While you view video clips, your
teacher will move around the class to identify potential problems and
to be available for answering your questions.

Student Instructional Material

Introduction
Important
Reminder

1) What is the relationship between genes, DNA and

chromosomes? - Watching video clips, Discussions
a. In this lesson you will begin to do some genetics, so go to
the Glossary to see the meaning of the word.
i. The lesson will start with a reminder of the basic
structure and role of chromosomes and genes in
passing traits from one generation to another.
ii. Watch this short video on the screen, and make sure
you can clearly hear and understand and also ask
questions if you need to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mUf0PW58pY&feature=related
(Chromosome, gene and DNA)
Active Jan 2011
b. Go to the website below which serves as a Glossary for
checking the meaning of various terms, and look up the
following: chromosome, gene, genetic code, DNA.
http://discover.edventures.com/functions/termlib.php?action=&ter
mid=1062&alpha=c&searchString=

Important Point
Heritable factors is
another way of
describing genes.

i. Watch this video clip to clarify that DNA is a long

molecule that looks like a twisted ladder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8dk5iS1f0&fe
ature=related (Simple . DNA structure) Active
Jan 2011
DNA is an important part of every chromosome.
DNA is made up of sugar, phosphate and 4 bases
and it is their number and order of arrangement in
which genetic information is carried and which in
fact is the genetic code. So, just as in baking a cake
there is a recipe of what is needed and what to do,
so too DNA is the recipe for making all the
different proteins within cells. All of our DNA if
lined up would be quite long, but it is normally
coiled up within the nucleus.
ii. Remember that enzymes, which direct every cell
activity, are proteins, so DNA is very important for
making various enzymes that will control and direct
every activity a cell goes through!

Student Instructional Material

Body of Lesson
1) Expression of genes - Internet use, Use of Photographs, Group
activity, Discussion

Important Point
A characteristic of
humans is that we have
coloured eyes. The
actual blue, grey or
brown eye colour that is
seen in an individual is
an example of a
personal characteristic
which we call a trait.
Heres another example:
All humans have the
characteristic of an
opposable, moveable
thumb; hitch-hikers vs
straight thumb are traits.

Notes
Straight thumb is
said to be a
dominant trait over
hitchhikers thumb
which is a recessive
trait.

a. Note that a gene is an important segment of a chromosome

that defines all traits of an organism. Because they are the
genetic code, genes tell cells how to function and what
traits to express. Each organism gets half its genes from its
mother and half from its father. Click open and look at the
chart:
http://www.fi.edu/guide/knox/Traits/traitsexamples.pdf
(Picture chart of various traits)
Active Jan 2011
b. Work in groups and click open this website. On the left
side, click open What is a Trait? and go through the first
ten (10) slides.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits Active Jan 2011
i. Then, click open Observable Traits at that same
website to see photographs of alternate versions of
a variety of heritable traits e.g. dimples vs. no
dimples; detached earlobe vs. attached earlobe;
straight thumb vs. curved thumb etc.
ii. In small groups visit the website below to do the
activity at the website to try to find your own
genetic match with various traits.
http://www.biologyjunction.com/genetic_traits_activity.htm
(Activity on expressions of genetic traits + photos) OK Jan 2011

2) Some genetic terms Use of Glossary, Textbook, Internet,

Discussion
a. Do Activity 1 in the Recommended materials section of
this lesson. If you brought your own family photographs,
allow your group to use them. Spend about 10 minutes to
discuss in your groups, then, have a class discussion about
your observations.
i. The characteristics and traits that you observed in
family members in the photographs result from
various genes. As seen in the photographs,
sometimes, for a specific feature, there are
alternate versions of heritable factors or genes that
are called alleles.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits OK Jan 2011

Student Instructional Material

(Alleles, dominant and recessive traits and how

written)
Click open the above site again and watch the slides
on How are Traits Determined?
Notes
Phenotype is the
result of the
genotype and
sometimes some
environmental
influences as well.

b. Write a definition of the term allelomorphic pair of genes

then your group should give two examples of an
allelomorphic pair of genes, if possible using features of
members of your own group/family.
Expected answer: Allelomorphic pair = a pair of genes
controlling alternative versions of a trait e.g. tall / short, fat
/ thin, freckles/non-freckles, curved little finger/straight
little finger, etc.
i. The alleles or allelomorphic pair of genes can be

expressed as a dominant trait or can be hidden and

is then said to be a recessive trait. For example, in
humans, the ability to roll the tongue is dominant to
non-tongue rolling, free ear lobe is dominant to
attached ear lobe while straight thumb is dominant
and hitchhikers thumb is the recessive trait.

Notes
Homozygous the
locus has the same
allele on each of the
homologous
chromosomes.
Heterozygous
alleles for both
versions of are
present at a locus
(i.e., one on each of
the homologous
chromosomes).

c. Alleles are found on homologous chromosomes. Click

open the website below, then on the left side, click open
The Basics and discuss the diagram of homologous
chromosomes with various alleles each at its own locus on
the chromosome.
http://www.mhref.com/color/genetics/tour/index.html
(Chromosome diagrams showing alleles at loci)
Active Jan 2011
d. Write definitions of the following terms:
(1) Homologous chromosomes; (2) Locus
Check your textbook, to confirm that you have correctly
defined the various terms then fill in the definitions in the
Glossary in this lesson.
e.

Note the terms genotype as the full complement of genes

in an organisms cells, which may or may not all be
expressed or seen, and phenotype as the outward
appearance of a trait. The first letter of each term can be
used to remember the meaning of the word e.g. ph for
phenotype is like what you see in a photo and gen from
genotype stands for gene /genetic code.

Student Instructional Material

Suggest examples of phenotypes. In the next

lesson, you will learn how to determine the possible
genotype for various phenotypes
f.

Note and highlight the relevant reference material

/examples from pages in any of the text-books you use that
are named below:
1. Atwaroo-Ali, L (2003) CXC Biology Macmillan
Caribbean Publishers Pages 239 - 241
2. Roberts, M. B. V. & Mitchelmore, J. (1985) Biology
for CXC Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd - Pages 309
- 310
3. Chinnery, L., Glasgow,J., Jones,M., Jones, G. CXC
Biology. (Latest edition) Cambridge. - Pages 245 250
4. Phil Gadd , CXC Human & Social Biology; Macmillan
Caribbean - Page 261
5. Bradfield P., Potter S., Biology for CSEC; Longman
Text. Page 252

Closure
In-Class Assignment
1) Print or make a copy of the worksheet from this site, and use it to
find out which of your family members have various traits.
http://www.fi.edu/guide/knox/Traits/traitexampleswksht.pdf
Out-of-Class Assignment/Homework
None
Supplemental
Use this Glossary when necessary:
http://discover.edventures.com/functions/termlib.php?action=&termid
=1074&alpha=h&searchString=homozygous
Glossary of Terms
allele

one of multiple alternative forms of a single gene, each of

which is a viable DNA sequence occupying a given locus
(i.e. position) on a chromosome. Alleles code for different
versions of a specific characteristic, e.g. in humans, one

Student Instructional Material

allele of the eye-color gene codes for blue eyes and another
allele of the eye-color gene produces brown eyes. An allele
is really a segment of genetic instruction or a code! When
you put two matching chromosome strands together, the
"genetic code" or alleles match up on both sides, and
together the two alleles are referred to as a gene.
chromosome

a linear, threadlike structure found in the nucleus of cells,

and made of DNA and associated proteins. It consists
of/carries thousands of genes and functions in the
transmission of hereditary information. A chromosome is
sometimes referred to as the vehicle of heredity because it
carries the information to code for various traits that are
being inherited from mother and father. Read more at >>
http://www.answers.com/topic/chromosome#ixzz1D6RE7u
mv

code

a set of genetic instruction

a molecule in all cells that contains blueprints for genetic

DNA
(deoxyribonuc inheritance, i.e. it is where an organisms genetic code is
leic acid),
stored.. Read more at>>
http://www.answers.com/topic/genetics#ixzz1D6SC5tKp

locus

the position of a gene on a chromosome

dominant

the allele which controls the characteristic shown in the

phenotype when inherited in the heterozygous condition. Go
to> > http://www.mhref.com/color/genetics/tour/index.html

gene

unit of information about particular heritable traits, which are

made from DNA; a length of DNA that codes for a
particular protein or polypeptide, such as an enzyme.

genetics

the study of the behavior of the units of inheritance (genes)

found along the chromosome; it deals with heredity,
especially the mechanisms of hereditary traits passed down
from one generation to the next and the variation of inherited
characteristics among similar or related organisms. Read at :
http://www.answers.com/topic/genetics#ixzz1D6TisPKY

heredity

the transmission of genetic characteristics from ancestor to

descendant through the genes. Read more at >>
http://www.answers.com/topic/genetics#ixzz1D6UZyFFZ

Student Instructional Material

homologous
pair /
bivalent

a pair of matching chromosomes of maternal and paternal

origin

genotype

the complement of actual genes and alleles present in a

particular organism's genome that give rise to its phenotype.
The genotype may or may not be expressed in the phenotype.

genome

the total complement of genetic material contained in an

organism or cell.

phenotype

the observable physical, metabolic and behavioural

characteristics/traits of an organism, largely determined by
the organism's genotype. It is produced by the expression or
instruction of the genotype within the environment in which
the organism lives.

homozyous

the locus has the same allele on each of the homologous

chromosomes.

heterozygous

both alleles are present at a locus (i.e., one on each of the

homologous chromosomes)

mutations

those changes encoded in the organism's DNA.

more> >

Read

http://www.answers.com/topic/genetics#ixzz1D6bC5uP4

recessive

the allele which is not expressed (shown) when inherited in

the heterozygous condition

trait

an inherited trait is a feature passed from the male and

female parents to the offspring through genes. It is a feature
peculiar to an organism and it can be described quantitatively
/ qualitatively. See examples at >>:
http://www.sln.org/csi/knox/Traits/traitsexamples.pdf
Read more at >>
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_an_inherited_trait#ixzz1
D6cIceUi

Student Instructional Material

CSEC Questions
1) Paper 2 Question 3 [a] iii., 2000
2) Paper 3 Question 3 [b] i., 2003
3) Paper 2 Question 5 [b] i, 2005
4) Paper 2 Question 5 [b] i & ii, 2006
Recommended Materials
Websites to Visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwfO6SzGaEg
(DNA, chromosomes and genes)
Active Jan 011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIe4-fVjmPE
(Chromosomes)
Active Jan 2011
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22266/
(Top diagram shows a Chromosome map of the set of human
chromosomes, text also)
Active Jan 2011
http://utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12.ut.us/sciber01/7th/cells/html/inhvs
acq.htm (Text on Inherited and acquired traits) OK Jan 2011
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/
Activity 1: Genetic traits in families
a.

Enlarge these photographs to about 200%. Carefully examine

each and identify various traits that are observable in the parents
and also the children in each photo. Talk about them with your
teacher.
(Possible traits to look for are: hair/skin/eye colour, hairline,
pinky finger, dimples, shape of nose/face, type of earlobes, etc.)

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10

 2010, Courtesy Mc Donald family

Photo taken from >> http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2082429.ece

Bibliography
1. Atwaroo-Ali, L. (2003) CXC Biology Macmillan Caribbean
Publishers
2. Campbell, N. A. (1996) Biology 4th Edition; The Benjamin
/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc.
3. Roberts, M. B. V. & Mitchelmore, J. (1985) Biology for CXC;
Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd
4. Chinnery, L., Glasgow, J., Jones, M., Jones, G. CXC Biology;
(Latest edition) Cambridge.

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