Mrs. Craig's Biology

Thursday, May 7, 2009

What happens when mothers & their fetus have different blood types?

Students always ask this question when I teach about blood typing and Genetics.

First off the placental barrier does not allow mixing of the maternal blood & the fetal blood.

The Rh factor is a bit different. Maternal antibodies can cross the placenta and destroy fetal red blood cells. Here is a link to a great article that explains how the Rh factor influences the mother-fetal problems that may occur.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Karyotype Computer Lab Activity

Today's activity involves doing some Internet research about chromosomal abnormalities. You may use the following links to aide your research...

Link 1: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/predictdisorder/

Link 2: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/karyotype/index.html

Link 3: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Genetics - Week 3

This is our 3rd (and final) week studying Human Genetics. So far we have covered the following modes of inheritance: Mendelian Genetics (monohybrid & dihybrid crosses), polygenic inheritance, codominance, incomplete dominance, and multiple alleles. We have also learned about blood types and pedigrees.

This week we'll be focusing on Karyotypes & Genetic Disorders, as well as the production of sex cells (aka "gametes) during the process of Meiosis. We will learn about various methods to screen an unborn child to test whether he or she will have any chromosomal abnormalities, and you will be taking a trip to the computer lab to research some information about various disorders.

We will complete the LAUSD SPA Test on Thursday, and our classroom Genetics Exam on Friday. You can find the Genetics Exam Review Sheet here. You may use a 4x6 notecard of notes during the exam if you wish.

Our calendar for the week can be found HERE.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Need some Community Service Hours?

The Biology teachers would LOVE some student assistance during the school's Open House on Thursday, April 30th! The department's presentations will occur in Room 287 (my room), and will include microscope demos, a dissection of an eyeball (to be demonstrated by a responsible student), among others. Are you interested? The night begins at 6pm and finishes at 8pm, so you'll earn 2 community service hours for participation! Let me know ASAP if you'll be there! The more the merrier!

This week!

This week (and the next few) we'll be focusing on Genetics. There is a lot of information online that can be used to help you with your understanding of Genetics. By clicking HERE you can find an online tutorial about Mendelian genetics.

This week's in-class calendar can be found here, as usual.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Extra Extra...Read All About It!

Extra credit that is! I have 2 opportunities for Extra Credit that I wanted to extend to students...

1) We are in desparate need of KLEEENEX Tissues (aka "napkins" as the students call them). 5 points per box, please! Limit 2.

2) Disney is coming out with a new movie called, "Earth." If you click on the word "Earth" you will be taken to the website to watch the Trailer and buy tickets! It premieres on Wednesday...EARTH DAY! Every ticket purchased in the first week is rewarded by Disney planting a tree! I will reward 10 extra credit points to anyway who can show a movie stub from the viewing, and an additional 10 points to anyone who goes during the 1st week (up to Wednesday, April 29th, I believe) and has the tree planted! What an awesome opportunity!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Biotechnology Research Project

While I'm away for the first few days this week, you will be working with Ms. Bianchi to create a class PowerPoint presentation about various biotechnology issues prevalent in the news today. We will be researching: recombinant DNA technology, stem cells, cloning, gene therapy, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The project description can be found here.

Each group has been given a topic to research. You are to gather up as much information as you can, being certain to cover the "Focus Questions" assigned to your group. You may use the website suggestions below for further research.

At the end of the day on Wednesday, April 15th you should email me your groups' slides by sending the PowerPoint as an attachment. My email is Courtney.Craig@lausd.net

Group 1: Recombinant DNA Technology
Focus Questions

What is recombinant DNA? What is recombinant protein?
What is a plasmid? A vector?
What is the difference between Recombinant DNA and Genetic recombination?
How is recombinant DNA technology related to cloning?
What are some uses for recombinant DNA technology?
What is a “sticky end”?
What are the enzymes involved in recombining DNA?

Groups 2 & 3: Stem Cells
Focus Questions

What are stem cells?
What are the differences between: embryonic vs. adult stem cells?
Define a pluripotent cell.
How can stem cells be used as treatments for medical conditions?
What are some of the controversies surrounding the use of stem cells?
What are the potential uses of human stem cells and the obstacles that must be overcome before these potential uses will be realized?
How does President Obama’s opinion in regard to stem cell research differ from Former President Bush?

Groups 4 & 5: Cloning

Focus Questions

What is cloning EXACTLY?
What are the differences between: Reproductive vs. therapeutic cloning?
Describe Nuclear transfer & the rest of the process of creating a clone.
What animals have been cloned?
Should humans be cloned?
What are the ethical concerns (prior problems) with cloned living organisms)?
What are some of the moral and ethical concerns about cloning?

Group 6: Gene Therapy
Focus Questions

What is gene therapy?
How does gene therapy work?
What are the vectors used in gene therapy? Provide details of 2 of them.
What is the current status of gene therapy research?
What factors have kept gene therapy from becoming an effective treatment for genetic disease?
What are some recent developments in gene therapy research?
What are some of the ethical considerations for using gene therapy?

What are they?
How are they created?
What are the impacts on Human Health?
How are they used? (Provide at least 5 specific examples of GMO’s that have been created in the past…be careful! Some of the Internet examples are FAKE!)
Are GMOs harmful or helpful?