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School
of Clinical Laboratory Sciences |
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Genetics |
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School
of Clinical Laboratory Sciences |
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Genetics |
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Understanding Chromosomes |
Understanding Chromosomes is a project by Liz Newton (B.Sc. Hons Genetics 2000) and Liz Sockett
Student Liz Newton at an interactive display explaining chromosomes and inheritance |
The Mr Potatohead model
Mr Potatohead models (or similar) are adapted to show differing features such as hair colour or hairy ears and differently patterned/coloured pipe-cleaner chromosomes are used to explain the idea of genes, variation and inheritance. The pupils usually key stage 2-3 have to build a model in a tray (which also contains the corresponding set of chromosomes), compare its features to the one on the stand, look at the chromosomes of both models and decide what is different about them.
This way of looking at different features is a non-discriminatory method as it concerns features of a toy not a person. Pupils to understand how genes encode for our features without the potentially sensitive comparisons between classmates.
Further work with Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead and their offspring shows simple principles of genetic crossing and how children inherit genes from their parents.
Children making models and examining chromosomes and the features they encode at the British Association 'Seeking Science' day in Nottingham
[ Education activities ]
[ Genetic code ] [ Understanding chromosomes ]
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