Standards Alignment
- MS-LS4-5 primary
Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.
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Lesson Overview
This Grade 7 science lesson explores how technologies have changed the ways humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms. Students will gather and synthesize information about these technologies, focusing on artificial selection and selective breeding. They will analyze how human choices affect genetic traits passed to offspring and understand the role of engineering advances in biology. The lesson aligns with NGSS standard MS-LS4-5 and is situated within the life sciences theme of Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Organisms.
Learning Objectives
- Gather information about technologies that have changed how humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms.
- Synthesize information from multiple sources to explain how selective breeding and other technologies affect traits passed to offspring.
- Explain the role of artificial selection in choosing desired parental traits determined by genes.
- Describe how engineering advances have contributed to scientific discoveries and technologies in biology.
- Use evidence to support explanations about human influence on inheritance of traits.
Success Criteria
- Students can identify and describe technologies that influence inheritance of traits.
- Students can explain how selective breeding works to pass desired traits to offspring.
- Students can synthesize information from different sources about artificial selection and related technologies.
- Students can construct scientific explanations using evidence about human influence on organism traits.
- Students can discuss the impact of engineering advances on biological technologies.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand basic genetics concepts such as traits, genes, and inheritance. They should be familiar with the idea that organisms inherit traits from their parents and that some traits can be selected or influenced.
Key Vocabulary
- Artificial selection
- Selective breeding
- Inheritance
- Traits
- Genes
- Genetic variation
- Engineering advances
- Technology
Materials and Resources
- Printed or digital articles about selective breeding and genetic technologies
- Diagrams or models showing inheritance and selective breeding
- Chart paper or whiteboard for group synthesis
- Research devices (computers/tablets) for gathering information
Teacher Preparation
- Prepare a selection of credible sources describing technologies like selective breeding, genetic modification, and artificial selection.
- Gather diagrams/models illustrating inheritance and selective breeding processes.
- Prepare guiding questions to help students analyze and synthesize information.
- Arrange materials for group work and presentations.
Detailed Lesson Notes
Artificial Selection and Selective Breeding
Artificial selection is a process where humans intentionally choose which organisms reproduce based on desired traits. This is done by selecting parents with specific genetic characteristics to pass those traits to offspring. For example, farmers breed plants or animals that have favorable traits such as higher yield or disease resistance. This technology changes the way traits are inherited by focusing reproduction on selected individuals rather than natural random mating.
Technologies Influencing Inheritance
Technologies such as selective breeding, genetic engineering, and cloning have changed how humans influence inheritance. Selective breeding is the oldest method, where humans control mating to enhance desired traits. Genetic engineering involves directly modifying genes, while cloning produces genetically identical organisms. These technologies allow humans to influence traits more precisely and rapidly than natural reproduction.
Role of Engineering Advances
Engineering advances have enabled scientific discoveries that led to new biological technologies. Tools like microscopes, DNA sequencing machines, and gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR) have expanded our ability to understand and manipulate genetic material. These advances have created industries focused on biotechnology and agriculture, transforming how traits are selected and inherited.
Scientific Reasoning and Evidence Use
Students should use evidence from multiple sources to explain how technologies influence inheritance. This includes analyzing case studies, diagrams, and data about selective breeding outcomes. Scientific reasoning involves connecting genetic principles with observed changes in traits over generations. Students should be able to support explanations with specific examples and cite credible sources.
Connections to Natural Selection and Evolution
Artificial selection is a form of human-driven selection that parallels natural selection but is guided by human choice. Understanding this helps students see how traits can change in populations over time due to selective pressures. It also highlights the ethical and societal considerations of using technology to influence inheritance.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 1
Scenario
Explain how selective breeding allows humans to influence the traits of offspring in plants or animals.
Explanation
Selective breeding involves choosing parent organisms with desired traits to reproduce. Since traits are determined by genes passed from parents to offspring, selecting parents with specific genes increases the likelihood that offspring will inherit those traits. Over generations, this process can enhance or fix desired characteristics in a population.
Answer Guide
Selective breeding works by humans choosing parents with traits they want. These parents pass their genes to offspring, so the offspring are more likely to have those traits. This changes the traits in the population over time.
Engage
Teacher Activity
Introduce the topic by asking students if they know how farmers or breeders choose animals or plants with certain traits. Show images of different dog breeds or crop varieties and ask what might cause these differences.
Student Activity
Students discuss in pairs what traits they notice and how humans might have influenced these traits. They share ideas with the class.
Explanation
This activity activates prior knowledge about inheritance and introduces the idea that humans can influence traits through selection.
Examples
- Students identify visible traits such as size, color, or shape.
- Students suggest that humans choose which animals or plants reproduce.
- Students recall that offspring inherit traits from their parents.
Explore
Teacher Activity
Provide students with articles and diagrams about selective breeding and artificial selection. Guide them to gather information about how these technologies work and their effects on inheritance.
Student Activity
Students work in small groups to read, highlight key points, and summarize how humans influence inheritance using these technologies.
Explanation
Students gather and synthesize information from multiple sources, meeting the NGSS standard MS-LS4-5.
Examples
- Students identify selective breeding as choosing parents with desired traits.
- Students note that traits are determined by genes passed to offspring.
- Students recognize that technology has changed how humans influence inheritance.
Explain
Teacher Activity
Lead a class discussion to clarify concepts of artificial selection, selective breeding, and the role of engineering advances. Use diagrams to illustrate inheritance patterns and genetic influence.
Student Activity
Students explain in their own words how selective breeding works and how technology has changed human influence on inheritance.
Explanation
This phase helps students construct scientific explanations based on evidence and reasoning.
Examples
- Students explain that artificial selection is human-guided reproduction.
- Students connect genes to inherited traits.
- Students describe engineering tools that enable genetic understanding and manipulation.
Elaborate
Teacher Activity
Assign students to research a specific technology (e.g., selective breeding, genetic engineering) and present how it influences inheritance and its applications.
Student Activity
Students prepare short presentations or posters explaining their assigned technology and its impact on inheritance of traits.
Explanation
This activity extends learning by applying concepts to real-world technologies and encourages synthesis and communication skills.
Examples
- Students describe their technology accurately.
- Students explain how it changes trait inheritance.
- Students provide relevant examples.
Evaluate
Teacher Activity
Use a formative assessment where students write a scientific explanation describing how humans influence inheritance using technologies, citing evidence from their research.
Student Activity
Students write or orally present their explanations, demonstrating synthesis of information and use of evidence.
Explanation
This assessment checks students' ability to gather, synthesize, and explain information about technologies influencing inheritance, aligned with MS-LS4-5.
Examples
- Students identify technologies like selective breeding and genetic engineering.
- Students explain human roles in selecting traits.
- Students cite examples or data supporting their explanations.
Classroom Activity
Students work in small groups to read, highlight key points, and summarize how humans influence inheritance using these technologies.
Guided Practice
Guided Practice 1
Prompt
What is artificial selection?
Teacher Answer Guide
Artificial selection is when humans choose which organisms reproduce to pass on desired traits to their offspring.
Guided Practice 2
Prompt
How does selective breeding influence the traits of offspring?
Teacher Answer Guide
Selective breeding influences traits by choosing parents with specific traits so their offspring are more likely to inherit those traits.
Guided Practice 3
Prompt
Describe one technology besides selective breeding that humans use to influence inheritance of traits.
Teacher Answer Guide
Genetic engineering is a technology where humans directly modify an organism's genes to influence inherited traits.
Guided Practice 4
Prompt
Compare artificial selection and natural selection in how they influence traits in a population.
Teacher Answer Guide
Artificial selection is human-directed choosing of traits to pass on, while natural selection is the natural survival and reproduction of organisms with traits best suited to the environment.
Guided Practice 5
Prompt
Explain how engineering advances have contributed to new technologies that influence inheritance and give an example.
Teacher Answer Guide
Engineering advances have created tools like DNA sequencing and gene editing that allow precise changes to genes, leading to technologies such as genetic engineering that influence inheritance. For example, CRISPR technology can edit genes to add or remove traits.
Independent Practice
- Foundational: What is artificial selection?
- Developing: How does selective breeding influence the traits of offspring?
- Application: Describe one technology besides selective breeding that humans use to influence inheritance of traits.
- Analysis: Compare artificial selection and natural selection in how they influence traits in a population.
- Challenge: Explain how engineering advances have contributed to new technologies that influence inheritance and give an example.
Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key
- 1. Artificial selection is when humans choose which organisms reproduce to pass on desired traits to their offspring.
- 2. Selective breeding influences traits by choosing parents with specific traits so their offspring are more likely to inherit those traits.
- 3. Genetic engineering is a technology where humans directly modify an organism's genes to influence inherited traits.
- 4. Artificial selection is human-directed choosing of traits to pass on, while natural selection is the natural survival and reproduction of organisms with traits best suited to the environment.
- 5. Engineering advances have created tools like DNA sequencing and gene editing that allow precise changes to genes, leading to technologies such as genetic engineering that influence inheritance. For example, CRISPR technology can edit genes to add or remove traits.
Guiding Questions
- What is artificial selection?
- How do humans influence inheritance of traits?
- What technologies have changed this process?
- How do genes relate to inherited traits?
- What evidence supports your explanations?
Common Misconceptions
- Artificial selection is the same as natural selection; in fact, artificial selection is human-directed while natural selection occurs naturally.
- Selective breeding changes the genes instantly; it actually changes traits over many generations.
- All technologies influencing inheritance are the same; different technologies like selective breeding and genetic engineering work differently.
Differentiation
Support and Intervention
Provide simplified texts and diagrams for students needing extra help. Use graphic organizers to help students gather and synthesize information. Allow oral explanations instead of written for students with writing difficulties.
English-Language Learner Support
Use visuals and labeled diagrams to support understanding of key vocabulary. Pre-teach key terms like 'inheritance' and 'selective breeding'. Encourage peer discussions to practice language in context.
Advanced and Extension
Challenge students to research ethical considerations of technologies influencing inheritance. Have students compare artificial selection with genetic engineering in detail. Encourage students to design a model showing how a technology influences inheritance.
Assessment
- Students summarize how selective breeding influences inheritance.
- Students explain in their own words what artificial selection means.
- Students participate in group discussions about technologies influencing traits.
- Write one way humans influence inheritance of traits.
- Name a technology that changes how traits are passed to offspring.
- Explain why selective breeding changes traits over generations.
- Write a scientific explanation describing how humans use technologies to influence inheritance, citing evidence.
- Compare artificial selection and genetic engineering in a short essay.
- Create a diagram showing how selective breeding works to influence traits.
Answer Guide
- What is artificial selection?
Answer: Artificial selection is when humans choose which organisms reproduce to pass on desired traits to their offspring. - How does selective breeding influence the traits of offspring?
Answer: Selective breeding influences traits by choosing parents with specific traits so their offspring are more likely to inherit those traits. - Describe one technology besides selective breeding that humans use to influence inheritance of traits.
Answer: Genetic engineering is a technology where humans directly modify an organism's genes to influence inherited traits. - Compare artificial selection and natural selection in how they influence traits in a population.
Answer: Artificial selection is human-directed choosing of traits to pass on, while natural selection is the natural survival and reproduction of organisms with traits best suited to the environment. - Explain how engineering advances have contributed to new technologies that influence inheritance and give an example.
Answer: Engineering advances have created tools like DNA sequencing and gene editing that allow precise changes to genes, leading to technologies such as genetic engineering that influence inheritance. For example, CRISPR technology can edit genes to add or remove traits.
Real-Life Application
Ask students to interview family members about any plants or animals they have at home that have been selectively bred (e.g., pets, garden plants) and report on how humans influenced their traits.
Homework or Home Connection
- Ask students to interview family members about any plants or animals they have at home that have been selectively bred (e.g., pets, garden plants) and report on how humans influenced their traits.
Lesson Summary
Humans have developed technologies like artificial selection and selective breeding to influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms. These technologies rely on choosing parents with specific genetic traits to pass on to offspring, changing populations over time. Engineering advances have expanded these capabilities through tools that allow direct gene modification. Understanding these technologies helps students see the connection between genetics, human choices, and the development of living organisms.
Teacher Notes
Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.