This illustrated lesson engages students with great questions and activities.

1. Genetics: Promises and
Problems
A common Core Unit
By
Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Georgia Berry, M.A.
Copyright Protected © 2013 Dean R. Berry
No part of this document may be reproduced
without permission from the author.
All Right Rights Reserved

2. Part One
View, Read, and Think

3. All animals have
the ability to pass
on traits and
characteristics to
their offspring.

4. Most of the time, family
members share traits such
as height, eye color, facial
shape, and skin color.
Often, a child will look a lot
like their mom or dad.

5. Hey, he looks a lot like me!

6. Family members usually have many
features that are similar. Sometimes
family members bear a striking
resemblance to each other.
Physical appearance, voice, and
personality traits can all be inherited.

7. “Its in the Genes” *
Eye Color and Shape
Body Shape and Height
Size of Ears, Hands, Feet
Hair Textures and Color
Blood Type and Skin Color
Musical or Athletic Ability

8. Eye color is determined
by our genes.

9. A large gene pool enables a species to
have more variation in their traits.

10. Even personality
traits may show
up in offspring.
*

11. Class Discussion
Is there a difference in the
personalities of Chihuahuas and
Labrador retrievers?
Why do you think that is true?

12. Genetic Diseases, such
as hemophilia, can be
carried by parents and
inherited by children.
*

13. Genes can carry
diseases.

14. Class Discussion
Can you think of any
other diseases that
might be inherited?

15. Many serious diseases
can be inherited.
•Cystic Fibrosis *
•Down Syndrome
•Muscular Dystrophy
•Huntington’s Disease
•Sickle Cell Anemia

16. Inherited Traits *
Within each body cell We
have 46 chromosomes with
thousands of genes
containing DNA proteins
that determine specific
traits and characteristics.

17. Outgoing Organized Aggressive
Passive Creative Short
Introvert Tall Green Eyes
Risky Black Hair Shy
Blond Blue Eyes Disorganized
Brown Eyes Big Ears Cautious

18. Ear traits are inherited
from parents.

19. During the fertilization
process, each parent
provides 23
chromosomes with
thousands of genes for
different traits. *

22. The parent gamete cells
divide into two identical
cells with the same *
chromosomes and genes.
This process is called
meiosis and occurs in
multiple phases.

23. Cell Division

24. Each chromosome
contains an important
protein called DNA. *

25. *
Our DNA is
organized in
strands that form a
Double Helix

26. Class Discussion
How is DNA useful in
our society today?

27. Double Helix DNA
A Double Helix
design is a pattern
with two strands
intertwined like a
twisted ladder

28. The double helix is a series of
double stranded molecules of
nucleic acids called DNA and RNA.

29. All genetic material
is located in the
cell’s nucleus.

30. Inside a Cell’s Nucleus *
•Chromosome
•Gene
•DNA

31. DNA=Chromosomes=Genes
*
Every cell nucleus contains structures
called chromosomes which contain
DNA molecules and proteins. Each
chromosome has sections called
genes. A gene is a specific sequence in
DNA that carries instructions to make a
specific protein which will help create a
special trait for the organism.

32. Cells

33. Each gene contains a
blueprint for traits such
as dimples, eye color,
body type, inherited
disease, and blood
type.

34. Class Discussion
How many other traits can
you think of that children
might inherit from
parents?

36. Having parents that come from a
very different pool of genes is very
important since mixing different
genes creates stronger
combinations of traits. When parents
come from similar relatives or
ancestors, weak or dangerous
genes increase and the traits of
offspring can result in serious
problems.

37. Marrying cousins is illegal in most
societies because of the poor traits
that can be passed on to children.

39. Animals that are only bred
within a very similar
group, may be more pure
bred but will have some
genes that are weaker
and undesirable.

40. Gene Mutations

41. Inbreeding Weakens
the Offspring

42. Pure is not always best *

43. A very large gene pool
will help insure that a
variety of good traits
will be available to
offspring.

46. Class Discussion
• Do you know anyone who was
born in another country?
Do you know anyone whose
parent was born in another
country?
Which countries?

47. A Melting Pot of
Differences Creates
Strength!