contentsresources.schoolscience.co.uk/sep/notes/abpi/14-16/genome.pdf · cell structure chromosomes...

333333ABPIThe human genome project

Notes for teachers

There are three chapters that describe the human genome, relevant to the science curriculum.

Overview allows students to look inside cells to reveal details of the nucleus, chromosomes and DNA.

Chromosomes in cells describes the human chromosomes and how they are made up of DNA. Genes are introduced.

DNA, genes and bases looks at the structure of DNA and how the genetic code is made up of bases that pair together.

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www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/genome/index.html

Contents

Cancer and cellswww.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/cancer/cancer2.html

Zoom into a cell (Flash)www.schoolscience.co.uk/flash/dna.htm

Web links


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1www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/genome/index.html

Life processes

Life processesCell structureChromosomesBiotechnology

Variation, inheritance & evolution

DNA

Curriculum links (using the COL keyword scheme)

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1 - Chromosomes and DNA in perspective

It is diffi cult for students to get a sense of scale when talking about cells, chromosomes and DNA. The fi rst section helps students by using an animation that allows students to ‘zoom’ in and out of the cell.

Cells to DNAHave students start on page 1 by looking at picture 1.

Students can zoom into the cell, revealing layers of detail, by moving their mouse along the magnifi cation line. It can also be viewed in an animation if students click onto the Zoom in Flash link.

Students can then use this information to complete the activities on Student worksheet 1, Cells to DNA.

In the worksheet, students are required to put into size order a range of structures from the whole person to DNA within a nucleus. This also helps to reinforce the organisation of body tissues and organs.

Students are then asked to place an enzyme, molecule of oxygen, viruses and a bacteria on the appropriate part of the size scale.

Coiled chromosomesTo demonstrate why chromosomes are coiled, give each student a length of string (approximately 15cm) or elastic band. They hold it taught and twist each end in opposite directions. This twisting results in the string coiling over onto itself, representing the coiling of the DNA into chromosomes.


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Notes for teachers

Using the resource

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2 - Chromosomes and DNA

This activity aims to illustrate the relationship between chromosomes and genes, and also the difference between a gene and an allele. This vocabulary is diffi cult for students and is often a barrier to understanding the concepts of inheritance. The activity also shows why chromosomes are found in matching pairs.

Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic codeStudent worksheet 2, Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code, provides a simple outline to illustrate that chromosomes contain genes for different features. It can also be used to explain that matching, or homologous, pairs of chromosomes contain the same genes in the same locations on each chromosome.

Genetic informationHow can chromosomes and DNA hold the information for the features you have?

Have students look at the information on page 3 which illustrates the base pairs in DNA. Stress that it is the sequence of these bases that hold the information and can direct the activity in every cell of the body. The activity on Student worksheet 2, Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code, helps students to learn how bases are paired.


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Notes for teachers

Using the resource

Cut out the pictures and arrange them in size order from the largest to the smallest, forming a scale.

Cells to DNA


Cells Organism Liver

Digestive system Nucleus Chromosomes

Liver tissue DNA molecule


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Cut out the pictures and put them in the correct place on your size scale.


An enzyme molecule Three viruses (CDC, USA)

Bacteria (CDC, USA) Two molecules of water


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Chromosomes and genesThe drawing represent a single chromosome in your body. Remember that you have 23 matching pairs of chromosomes in every nucleus of your body.

Each chromosome contains a single, long strand of DNA. This contains the genes. In the diagram only three genes are represented.

Matching chromosomes have the same genes in the same positions.

Types of genesGenes give the information for a particular feature. For example, eye colour.

However, not everyone has the same colour eyes. This means that there can be different types of the eye colour gene. Common types are for the colours brown and blue.

The different types of a particular gene are called itsalleles.

Chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code

www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/genome/index.html3333333ABPI

The human genome projectStudent worksheet 2

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A gene is a section of DNA. It contains thousands of bases paired together.

gene for eye colour

your allele

Genes and alleles in youWhat colour are your eyes, can you roll your tongue and do you have dangly or attached ear lobes?

1. Use this to write the types of genes that you have for each feature on the chromosome on the left. Compare your chromosome with others in the class. Are they the same or are they different?

The genetic codeThe drawing on the right shows the molecular structure of DNA. It is the sequence of the bases that carries the genetic information.

2. Complete the table below to show how the bases always match together in the same pairs.

tongue rolling

lobe type

your allele

your allele Bases: Adenine Guanine Thymine Cytosine

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