Mutation and Genetic Change

Materials

Holt Textbook, Biology (DeSalle & Heithaus, 2008)
Pen/Pencil
Paper
Exit Slips
Computer access
YouTube video
Mutation worksheet
Smart Board or overhead display for presentation purposes

Anticipatory Set

Teacher and students will actively engage in a discussion introducing the topic.  Teacher will show short YouTube clip on sickle cell red blood cells.  Teacher may ask questions such as, "Did you know mutations can be both beneficial and harmful?" and "Can anyone think of mutations that could be beneficial?"  5-10 minutes

Procedure

Teacher lectures on genetic mutations.  Specifically the causes and effects of mutations, large-scale genetic mutations, the difference between DNA mutations and chromosomal mutations, and an introduction to the different types of genetic mutations.  The different types of mutation segues into the jigsaw activity.  10-15 minutes

Teacher introduces the jigsaw activity, strategy #15 (Fisher, Brozo, Frey, & Ivey, 2007), to learn more about the specific genetic mutations. Students are split up into 'home' groups.  Then, each person in their 'home' group is assigned a number.  Each number is assigned a specific mutation.  For example, 1 - silent mutation, 2 - missense mutation, 3 - frameshift mutation.  Then, all the 1s, 2s, and 3s will get together to become experts on their mutation using their book, notes, and a computer.  Students will then return to their 'home' groups to teach their mutation.  15-25 minutes

Students will be broken up into groups of two to complete a worksheet on mutations (See Resources below for worksheet).  Although students will be collaborating in pairs, each student will individually hand in a worksheet.  Students are able to use their book, notes including the information they learned from the jigsaw activity, and any other previous knowledge.  The genetic code legend will also be provided so students can convert mRNA sequence into amino acids. 15-20 minutes

Teacher introduces the idea of exit slips, strategy #8 (Fisher, Brozo, Frey, & Ivey, 2007).  (See Resources below for Example Exit Slip) 2-3 minutes

Students must fill out exit slips before leaving the classroom. 5 minutes