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Lesson 60 of 84 · Inheritance and Traits
ExperimentDNA: The Code of Life (Part 4)
What You'll Learn
Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits like eye color, hair texture, and blood type. Humans have approximately 20,000 genes spread across 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Key Words
- inherit
- gene
- dominant
Materials Needed
- microscope (or magnifying glass)
- slides
- onion skin
- iodine stain
- paper
- colored pencils
Safety First
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
- Use materials only as directed in the experiment.
- Keep small objects away from young children.
Steps
Step 1 — Read
Read the introduction and identify the main idea of this lesson.
Step 2 — Do
Model mitosis using pipe cleaners as chromosomes. Show each phase: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Step 3 — Observe
Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.
Step 4 — Record
Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is a gene?