How Genes Are Inherited

This video shows how genes—as both physical objects and coded information—pass from parents to offspring during sexual and asexual reproduction. Students follow along with a worksheet to model asexual and sexual reproduction.

1. Project video to the whole class once, all the way through.
2. Have students fill in the student sheet as they do one of the following:
   1. Rewatch the video on individual student devices.
   2. Read through the video storyboard.
   3. Follow along as you guide the class, using either the video or the storyboard.

• Genes are objects AND information.
  • Genes are segments of DNA.
  • Genes are instructions for making proteins.
• Genes pass from parent to offspring through asexual or sexual reproduction.
  • Offspring that arise from asexual reproduction have genes from just one parent; the genetic information in parent and offspring are (nearly) identical.
  • Offspring that arise from sexual reproduction have genes from two parents; half of the offspring's genetic information comes from each parent.

In a 2007 article, Duncan and Reiser call out the dual nature of genes—genes as objects and information—as especially challenging for students to understand. One possible remedy to this challenge is to focus on the general principle that genes code for proteins, and proteins' role in shaping traits. Look for opportunities to help your students make these connections.

Copies
Colored pencils or crayons
(Optional) Individual student devices, headphones

How Genes Are Inherited (video)
How Genes Are Inherited storyboard (pdf)
How Genes Are Inherited Student Sheet (pdf)