Exploring Genetics Through Genetic Disorders

This unit prepares students to achieve these Performance Expectations from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

HS-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

HS-LS1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins, which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

HS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

HS-LS3-1. Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring.

HS-LS3-2. Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.

This unit has been designed to address these elements of the NGSS:

Disciplinary Core Ideas	Traits Pod	Mutations and Alleles Pod	Inheritance Pod	Protein Function Pod	Genetic Disorder Web Pages	Allele Profiles Lab Notebook
HS-LS1 A: Structure and Function Systems of specialized cells within organisms help themperform the essential functions of life.				✔	✔	✔
HS-LS1 A: Structure and Function* All cells contain genetic information in the form of DNA molecules. Genes are regions in the DNA that contain the instructions that code for the formation of proteins, which carry out most of the work of cells.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
HS-LS1 A: Structure and Function Multicellular organisms have a hierarchical structural organization, in which any one system is made up of numerous parts and is itself a component of the next level.					✔	✔
HS-LS3 A: Inheritance of Traits Each chromosome consists of a single very long DNA molecule, and each gene on the chromosome is a particular segment of that DNA. The instructions for forming species’ characteristics are carried in DNA.	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
HS-LS3 B: Variation of Traits* In sexual reproduction, chromosomes can sometimes swap sections during the process of meiosis (cell division), thereby creating new genetic combinations and thus more genetic variation. Although DNA replication is tightly regulated and remarkably accurate, errors do occur and result in mutations, which are also a source of genetic variation. ~~Environmental factors can also cause mutations in genes, and viable mutations are inherited.~~		✔ (Bold Portion Only)	✔ (Plain Portion Only)			✔ (All)
HS-LS3 B: Variation of Traits* Environmental factors also affect expression of traits, and hence affect the probability of occurrences of traits in a population. Thus the variation and distribution of traits observed depends on both genetic and environmental factors.	✔				✔	✔

Science and Engineering Practices	Traits Pod	Mutations and Alleles Pod	Inheritance Pod	Protein Function Pod	Genetic Disorder Web Pages	Allele Profiles Lab Notebook
Developing and Using Models Develop and/or use multiple types of models to provide mechanistic accounts and/or predict phenomena, and move flexibly between model types based on merits and limitations.	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔
Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.						✔
Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyze data to identify design features or characteristics of the components of a proposed process or system.						✔
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions Construct and revise an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.						✔
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena and solve design problems, taking into account possible unanticipated effects.						✔
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions Apply scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to the claims to assess the extent to which the reasoning and data support the explanation or conclusion.						✔
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information Critically read scientific literature adapted for classroom use to determine the central ideas or conclusions and/or to obtain scientific and/or technical information to summarize complex evidence, concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms.					✔	✔
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information Compare, integrate and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a scientific question or solve a problem.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information Communicate scientific and/or technical information or ideas (e.g. about phenomena and/or the process of development and the design and performance of a proposed process or system) in multiple formats (i.e., orally, graphically, textually, mathematically).						✔

Crosscutting Concepts	Traits Pod	Mutations and Alleles Pod	Inheritance Pod	Protein Function Pod	Genetic Disorder Web Pages	Allele Profiles Lab Notebook
Cause and Effect Develop and/or use multiple types of models to provide mechanistic accounts and/or predict phenomena, and move flexibly between model types based on merits and limitations.		✔		✔	✔	✔
Cause and Effect Changes in systems may have various causes that may not have equal effects.		✔		✔	✔	✔
Systems and System Models Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions—including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different scales.	✔	✔	✔	✔
Structure and Function The functions and properties of natural and designed objects and systems can be inferred from their overall structure, the way their components are shaped and used, and the molecular substructures of its various materials.				✔	✔	✔

*Included in a Performance Expectation listed above.

~~Strikethrough~~ text shows element portions that are not addressed in the unit.

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Exploring Genetics Through Genetic Disorders - NGSS Connections