Life Sciences Term 2

1: Genetics and heredity

• Introduction

  Genetics is the science of inheritance and studies the principles of heredity and variation. The hereditary instruction carried within the DNA ensures that offspring resemble their parents and ensures that genetic variation can take place, resulting in survival of the fittest.

  During sexual reproduction, offspring are produced that resemble the parents. Two haploid gametes are the result of the process of meiosis. The gametes fuse during reproduction and the result is a diploid zygote, containing a double set of chromosomes. One set of the chromosomes came from the male gamete, which contains the DNA from the father. One set of chromosomes came from the female gamete and contains the DNA from the mother. The child therefore contains DNA from both parents.

  At this point in time, you as the grade 12 teacher, have already finished the introduction to genetics, monohybrid crosses, sex determinations, sex linked inheritance and blood grouping. You are left with dihybrid crosses, genetic pedigree diagrams, mutations, genetic engineering, paternity testing, genetic links and the SBA practical task.  We have decided to include the first topics to help you with revision activities if some of the topics were not clear when you first explained it. You will also notice that we have included terminology lists as these are crucial for good performance. Please ensure that your learners do regular terminology activities and tests.
  

• Module overview

  This module deals with genetics and heredity.   The module starts with notes and important “tips” for learners. There is a detailed terminology list, followed by monohybrid crosses, sex determination, blood grouping, dihybrid crosses, pedigree diagrams, mutations, genetic engineering and paternity testing.
  

• Learning outcomes

  By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • Use diagrams from past question papers and modify them for your own use
    
  • Solve monohybrid crosses for complete, incomplete, co-dominance, sex-linked diseases and blood groups
    
  • Calculate ratios and percentages of the genotype and phenotype of the F₁ and F₂ generations
    
  • Solve dihybrid crosses
    
  • Read and solve pedigree diagrams
    
  • Classify questions based on the different levels of Bloom’s taxonomy
    
  • Administer and assess the Gr 12 SBA task on genetics
    
  • Answer questions on mutations and genetic engineering
    
  • Introduce genetics as a topic in a fun way to learners.
    

  
  

• Study materials

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 study guide File
• MGSLG. (2020). Fact sheet: Genetics and heredity File
• MGSLG. (2020). PPT: Life Sciences Module 1 Genetics and Heredity File
• Videos Page
• 
  Module structure

  Unit 1: How to take images from past papers and use in your own worksheets / question papers

  • Review the unit information contained in the link below
  • Complete activity 1.1 on page 6 of the module guide
  • This activity should be completed using a Word document
  • Save your Word document in the following format: Full name_Module 1
  • This SAME word document will be continually used throughout this module of study.

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 Unit 1 Page
• 
  Unit 2: How to teach the different kinds of monohybrid crosses

  • Review the information relating to this unit by clicking on the link below
  • Either using the same Word document, or by manually drawing the genetic cross, complete activity 1.2 on page 13 of the module guide. (Should you choose the manual route, please take a picture of your diagram, save the image in the following format: Full name_Module 1_Activity 1.2)
  • Using the same Word document, complete activity 1.3 on page 14 (should you elect to manually draw the genetic cross, please follow the same procedures specified above in terms of saving your image except the format should be: Full name_Module 1_Activity 1.3)
  • Using the same Word document, complete activity 1.4 on pages 15 - 16 of your module guide.

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 Unit 2 Page
• 
  Unit 3: What are sex linked diseases and how is the sex determined?

  • Review the information relating to this unit by clicking on the link below
  • Using the same Word document, complete activity 1.5 on page 18.

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 Unit 3 Page
• 
  Unit 4: Different blood groups and the genetics behind them

  • Review the information relating to this unit by clicking on the link below
  • Using the SAME Word document, complete activity 1.6 on page 20 of your module guide.

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 Unit 4 Page
• 
  Unit 5: Dihybrid crosses and how they are solved

  • Review the information relating to this unit by clicking on the link below
  • Using the SAME Word document, complete activity 1.7 on page 23.

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 Unit 5 Page
• 
  Unit 6: Pedigree diagrams and how they are solved

  • Review the information relating to this unit by clicking on the link below
  • Using the SAME Word document, complete activity 1.8 on pages 25 - 26 of the manual guide
  • Print out the document below titled: Activity 1.9
  • Complete this activity saving the document in the following format: Full name_Module 1 Activity 1.9 (this document must also be uploaded using the submission tool later in this module).

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 Unit 6 Page
• Activity 1.9 File
• 
  Unit 7: Mutations, genetic engineering and the applications of this

  • Review the information relating to this unit by clicking on the link below
  • Using the SAME Word document, complete activity 1.10 on page 36 of your module guide
  • Complete activity 1.11 on pages 36 - 39. Some manual work may be required. Take a photo of your final DNA recipe and picture of your dog. Save these images in the following format: Full name_Module 1 Activity 1.11
  • Submit your Word document and all the images for module 1 using the submission tool below.

• MGSLG. (2020). Module 1 Unit 7 Page
• Assignment submission tool: Module 1
• 
  Subject methodology

  Have a look at the Learn.Genetics link below. This site provides a wealth of both information and activities that you can review and possibly apply in your classroom. Additional videos have also been included to add to your own resource collection on this topic. We encourage you to explore the internet for additional resources that you would feel comfortable including as a teaching aid.

• Learn.Genetics. (nd). Genetics (Full copyright but available for use) URL
• Videos Page
• 
  Technology support

  Have some fun with this free SCOP Genetics app for Android developed by Mahtaab Hayat, Jorge da Rocha, Heather Seymour, and Natalie Smyth, students from Wits university. Can you use this with your learners? We've also included the link to creating an online crossword puzzle - we encourage you to try and create your own online crossword puzzle using this tool.

• Wordmint. (nd). Genetics crossword puzzle (Full copyright but available for use) URL
• University of Witwatersrand. (nd). Free SCOP Genetics app (Full copyright but available for use) URL
• 
  Module summary

  Life exists in a variety of life forms and it is in the study of DNA, genetics and inherited characteristics that life at molecular level intersects with Strand 4: diversity, change and continuity in the CAPS curriculum.

  In order to understand species, speciation, biodiversity and change, it is essential to understand how DNA and chromosomes enable continuity and change. This module covers all the requirements for the DBE NSC exams w.r.t. the topic: Genetics and Heredity.