-0Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Sexy Bird Genetics Name: Mia Darden

Content Area: Biology Grade Level: 9-12
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
1)HS-LS1-4 Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.
2)HS-LS1-1 Construct and 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-LS3-1 Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring
3) 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 y environmental factors
HS-LS3-3 Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population.
4) HS-LS4-1 Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.
HS-LS4-2 Construct and explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: 1) the potential for a species to increase in number,
2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, 3) competition for limited resources, and 4) the proliferation of those
organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.
5) HS-ETS1-1 Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

Essential Questions:
1) HOW DID ORGANISMS GET SO COMPLEX? (FROM BACTERIA TO BIRD)
2) WHAT BEHAVIORS OR STRUCTURES MAKE A BIRD SEXY AND WHERE DID THEY ORIGINATE?
3) WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF A BABY BIRD BEING SEXY?
4) WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEXY BIRDS?
5)HOW DOES DIVERSITY AFFECT SOCIETY, OR VICE VERSA?
Student Learning Objectives:
1) Students will develop a model showing cell division, the transfer of genetic material from parent to identical daughter cells, and the specialization of cells.
2) After examining models and simulations of DNA to clarify the relationships between DNA and the proteins they code for, students will ask questions regarding how DNA
structure affects protein synthesis and define possible problems during DNA replication that could lead to protein deficiencies.
3) Students will ask questions regarding how "sexy bird gene" is created and expressed throughout a population. Students will identify and discuss any problems that may
interfere with "sexy bird gene" expression. Students will calculate the probability of "sexy bird gene" being expressed in offspring of parents with varying genes. Students
will analyze their data to argue how "sexy bird gene" will be expressed within their population
4) Students will obtain, evaluate, and communicate evidence for evolution and construct an explanation based on evidence for the process of evolution, including the four
factors.
5) Students will be able to:
- Work in groups to Identify a major global issues relating to diversity using a variety of resources
- Explain how diversity, or lack of diversity, has contributed to a global issue.
- Create a presentation with a group addressing the identified global issue, methods to address the issue, how the issue affects society, and how the issue relates to the unit.
Unit Summary:
In this unit, students use the phenomenon of sexy birds trying to find mates as a launching event by which they learn the genetic processes that are involved in passing
genetic information between generations. Students begin by creating a model of a unique sexy bird that has diverse traits. They refer back to this model weekly as they
apply new concepts to in, in an effort to paint a complete picture of how the bird got its DNA, became differentiated, got mutations, portrayed reproductive fitness, and
survived to pass its genes to the next generation. This unit encompasses genetics, evolution, human impact, probability, statistics, formal research, argumentative essay
creation, and much more.
Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
1) Entry Level- Day 1: The purpose of the Warm-up
question & Discussion is to help inform the teacher on
the class's prior knowledge of how organisms develop.
The discussion will inform the teacher on student’s
knowledge of mitosis and cell differentiation, helping
the teacher determine how to focus, and better,
instruction for the lesson.
Warm-up question: “How do these birds grow from a
single cell to a complex organism with bright colors,
unique dances, etc.? Focus on foliage color, beak
structure, and body size.“
Formative: Summative:
1) Formative- Students will create a model that 1) Summative- Students will write a formal
includes parent cells, identical daughter cells, paper describing how a population evolved
the "sexy bird gene", and examples of at least the "sexy bird gene". Students will discuss the
two specialized cell types. four factors that had to have been present
2) Formative- Students will demonstrate within the population for evolution to occur
knowledge of mitosis and cellular and provide evidence of their presence.
differentiation by completing a multiple Students will also construct an argument their
choice and short answer quiz on Google claim that the "sexy bird gene" evolved. Their
Forms. argument must contain evidence from the
3) Formative- Students will construct a written fossil record, embryonic development, or DNA
explanation highlighting how the "sexy bird overlap.
gene" is replicated and the types of proteins it 2) Summative- Students will choose an
synthesized. The explanation will include the endangered species, or species that has
relationships between DNA, chromosomes, benefited society, research it thoroughly, and
genes, and how they determine protein present them to the class
synthesis & expression and add it to their
model from the previous lesson. Students will
also elaborate on any problems that may
occur during "sexy bird gene" replication or
synthesis.
4) Formative- Students will create a comic strip
that follows the story of "sexy bird gene" from
its creation to its spread throughout a
population due to heredity and reproduction.
The story will include:
- How DNA structure and mutation created
"sexy bird gene"
- How the gene is passed from one generation
to the next depending on parent genotypes
- The probability of gene expression in
offspring
- Two or more problems the gene might
encounter (repression, selection, mutation,
competition, environmental factors)
- Evidence from their crosses that supports the

Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective:
1) Students will learn the
stages of mitosis and cell
differentiation and be able to
discuss how that facilitates
life.
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Objective:
1) Students will develop a
model showing cell division,
the transfer of genetic
material from parent to
identical daughter cells, and
the specialization of cells.
proportion of "sexy bird gene" expression
within their population
Formative- Students will Lesson Activities:
demonstrate knowledge of E- Engage
mitosis and cellular
differentiation by completing Day 1:
a multiple choice and short 1. Warm Up- “How do cells grow to be so different?”
answer quiz on Google 2. Go to https://prezi.com/view/OLdAUTxGcEJ9xgDs1N9E/ in Google Classroom
Forms. 3. Click through presentation to view lecture about mitosis and cell differentiation
4. Complete guided notes for web lecture
5. Have class discussion about how mitosis sustains the life of a sexy bird.
Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Formative- Students will E-Elaborate
create a model that includes
parent cells, identical Day 2:
daughter cells, the "sexy bird 1. Warm up question: “If all cells are identical then how do they perform different functions?”
gene", and examples of at 2. Class discussion about warm-up question
least two specialized cell 3. Lecture about cell differentiation
types. Student models will 4. Teacher hands out WebQuest activity about cell differentiation. (Outline below)
accurately depict the process 5. Revise and add to mitosis model
of mitosis (parent cell→ 2
daughter cells), and 3 or more
specialized cells and their
functions. Students will be
engaging in discourse during
the creation of their models,
using the unit vocabulary
discussed in class.
Summative- Students
present their models to the
class, providing an
explanation of what their sexy
bird is and how it came to be.
Students will be evaluated by
the teacher on their use of
academic vocabulary and
clarity of explanation of
 concepts.

Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)

Student Learning Objective:
1) Students will be able to
complete a Graphic Organizer
describing one genetics
defect based on online
research.
Unit Resources:
Bird Mating video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7QZnwKqopo
Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Formative- Students will E-Explain
create a model that includes
parent cells, identical 1. Go to The Genetic Defect Website to read about genetics defects caused by problems in mitosis or
daughter cells, the "sexy bird meiosis.
gene", and examples of at 2. Click on the link for Hemophilia, Tay-Sachs, and two genetic defects of your own choosing.
least two specialized cell 3. For each defect, fill out the graphic organizer with the components listed below:
types. Student models will -Description of the defect/ how it impacts an individual
accurately depict the process -Treatments and therapies for the defect
of mitosis (parent cell→ 2 -Pattern of inheritance for the defect (how it's inherited)
daughter cells), and 3 or more 4. Remember, this is an individual assignment, which means you will complete your own investigation
specialized cells and their about the defects
functions. Students will be 5. Remember, you may not copy information from the website, rather read it and rephrase you
engaging in discourse during understanding using your own words
the creation of their models, 6. Submit your completed graphic organizer to Google Classroom.
using the unit vocabulary
discussed in class.
Summative- Students
present their models to the
class, providing an
explanation of what their sexy
bird is and how it came to be.
Students will be evaluated by
the teacher on their use of
academic vocabulary and
clarity of explanation of
concepts.

Useful Websites:
Mitosis Literature: https://www.abpischools.org.uk/topic/celldiv-cancer/4

Webquest website 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ldPgEfAHI

Webquest website 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3g26p9Mh_k
 Web Quest: Mitosis

Name: __________________ Date: ____________Period: ______

Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ldPgEfAHI and watch the video on Mitosis and Cell Division. After watching the video answer the following questions.

1. What is mitosis?

2. What is a chromosome?

3. Give two examples of how cell growth and mitosis help maintain complex organisms.

4. What type of cells are produced through mitosis?

5. What is a centromere?

6. How many stages are in Mitosis?

7. What are the stages?

8. What do they mean by “sister” chromatids?

9. True or False? The two cells being made are not genetically identical.

10. Why is mitosis needed for growth and repair?

11. How is cancer related to mitosis?

Now go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3g26p9Mh_k and watch the video on Cell differentiation. After watching the video, answer the following questions.

1. What is a stem cell?

2. How are they different from other body cells?

3. Do different types of cells have different DNA?

4. Where can stem cells be found? (name 3)

5. What are two differences between embryonic stem cells and somatic stem cells?

6. From what you have learned in this video should we use embryonic stem cells for research or not? Why?
 Web Quest: Mitosis
Name: __KEY_____________ Date: ____________Period: ______

Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ldPgEfAHI and watch the video on Mitosis and Cell Division. After watching the video answer the following questions.

1. What is mitosis?
Cell division that results in two identical daughter cells
2. What is a chromosome?
Condensed unit of DNA and proteins
3. Give two examples of how cell growth and mitosis help maintain complex organisms.
Healing a cut, growth over time
4. What type of cells are produced through mitosis?
Body cells
5. What is a centromere?
Part of chromosomes where sister chromatids are held together
6. How many stages are in Mitosis?
4
7. What are the stages?
P-Prophase
M-Metaphase
A-Anaphase
T-Telophase
8. What do they mean by “sister” chromatids?
They are identical chromatids coming from the same chromosome leads to identical daughter cells.
9. True or False? The two cells being made are not genetically identical.
FALSE
10. Why is mitosis needed for growth and repair?
Mitosis is the process of cell division and creating more cells that allow organisms to repair damage and grow into larger and more complex organisms.
11. How is cancer related to mitosis?
Cancer is uncontrolled cell growth and mitosis
Now go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3g26p9Mh_k and watch the video on Cell differentiation. After watching the video, answer the following questions.

1. What is a stem cell?

a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types
2. How are they different from other body cells?
Stem cell can become any type of cell.
3. Do different types of cells have different DNA?
No all cells contain the same DNA
4. If all cells contain the same DNA then how do we get specialized cells?
All have the same DNA but different parts of the DNA is turned on or off to code for different proteins to be made and thus creating a different type of cell.
5. Where can stem cells be found? (name 3)
Embryos, bone marrow, muscles, liver, and skin
6. What are two differences between embryotic stem cells and somatic stem cells?
 Embryotic stem cells come from an embryo and somatic stem cells come from a grown human in their muscle, liver, skin and bone marrow. Embryotic stem
cells are pluripotent and somatic stem cells are multipotent.
7. From what you have learned in this video should we use embryonic stem cells for research or not? Why?

Graphic Organizer: Mitosis

Mitosis Literature
Go to the link in Google Classroom. Read through the article and fill out this organizer.

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/mitosis/a/phases-of-mitosis
Describe Mitosis using information
from the first paragraph:
Mitosis is…

What are the 4 phases of mitosis?

Describe what happens in prophase:

Draw a model of a cell during prophase.

Include labels.
Describe what happens in metaphase:

Draw a model of a cell during

metaphase. Include labels.

Describe what happens in anaphase:

Draw a model of a cell during

anaphase. Include labels.
Describe what happens in Telophase:

Draw a model of a cell during

Telophase. Include labels.

Describe cytokinesis.

Draw a model of cytokinesis. Include

labels.