Students explore the relationships between genetics, biodiversity, and evolution through a simple activity involving hypothetical wild mouse populations. First, students toss coins to determine what traits a set of mouse parents possesses, such as fur color, body size, heat tolerance, and running speed. Next they use coin tossing to determine the traits a mouse pup born to these parents possesses. These physical features are then compared to features that would be most adaptive in several different environmental conditions. Finally, students consider what would happen to the mouse offspring if those environmental conditions were to change: which mice would be most likely to survive and produce the next generation?

This initial module from the GENIQUEST project introduces the dragons and the inheritance of their traits, then delves into meiosis and its relationship to inherited traits. Students examine the effects of choosing different gametes on dragon offspring, and learn about genetic recombination by creating recombination events to generate specific offspring from two given parent dragons. Students learn about inbred strains and breed an inbred strain of dragons themselves.

A narrated learning activity illustrating how a monohybrid cross of genetic traits gets passed on to offspring. [3:40]

This assignment uses a computer simulation of fruit fly genetics to have students design and interpret monohybrid crosses of a trait with simple dominant and recessive alleles. Detailed instructions with animated examples, background material, a sample report and a rubric are included.

Discover how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited, and complete a pedigree chart by determining which individuals might share mtDNA with an unknown ancestor.

Animations of the different phases of cancer, make this a great resource for understanding the development of this disease.

Which dictates our existence? Is it our genetic makeup or the environment we grow up in? Kevin Davies offers an update on this long-standing debate, from the NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" Web site.

A video investigating the hunt for the gene that causes autism. Learn how a parents crusade to help their child led to scientist finding a stretch of similar genes that may help solve the mystery about autism. [12:51]

This site provides information on virtually every type of cancer. Information can be found on prevention, causes, detection, treatments, research, and support groups.

This excellent site provides a good overview of Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma. Also provides links to more detailed information about treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, stages and screening for skin cancer.

This site by the National Cancer Institute provides a general overview of liver cancer. Also provides links to more detailed information about stages, treatment, prevention, genetics, causes and screening for liver cancer.

This site by the National Cancer Institute provides general information about ovarian cancer. Also has links to more detailed information about treatment, prevention, genetics, causes and screening for ovarian cancer.

This site by the National Cancer Institute provides a general overview of prostate cancer. Also provides links to more detailed information about stages, treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, and screening for prostate cancer.

This link has many tools to help understand the revolutionary sciences and discoveries in genetics.

The Gene Scene OLogy site is a place for learning all about genetics--DNA, cloning, nature versus nature, and interesting genetic science facts and discoveries. Explore, ask questions, find information, and meet American Museum of Natural History scientists, who share their views on dozens of genetics-related topics.

This site is a must see for any lesson or unit on biotechnology! It is a companion to the PBS video "Bloodlines: Technology Hits Home," although it can certainly be used without the video. It's a fantastic site that will challenge students to think about their opinions in several ethical dilemmas. There is a timeline of genetic and reproductive technology and more.

Build a gene network! The lac operon is a set of genes which are responsible for the metabolism of lactose in some bacterial cells. Explore the effects of mutations within the lac operon by adding or removing genes from the DNA.

Discover what controls how fast tiny molecular motors in our body pull through a single strand of DNA. How hard can the motor pull in a tug of war with the optical tweezers? Discover what helps it pull harder. Do all molecular motors behave the same?

In this activity, students are assigned different alleles of the gene for phenylalanine hydroxylase to research using OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man). They are then asked to both explain and illustrate how this mutation may cause the disease phenylketonuria (PKU).