Ticks and Other Vectors

Module Summary
The ticks and other vectors of disease module can be completed in any high school environmental science class. The students will complete four different activities. The first activity will teach them to use dichotomous keys and to identify vectors. The following two activities will introduce students to the process of DNA extraction from ticks followed by analysis of the tick DNA via agarose gel electrophoresis. The final activity reveals how pathogens are transferred and diseases are transmitted.

Grade Levels
9-12                                                                                

Module Materials (view or download)
Arthropod and Insect ID
DNA Isolation: Tick Extraction
Vectors and Disease
Are Deer Ticks Carrying Lyme Disease?

Module Activity Overview	Estimated Class Time
Arthropod and Insect ID	1 (45 min) class
Tick DNA Extraction	1 (45 min) class
Vectors	1 (45 min) class
Are Deer Ticks Carrying Lyme Disease?	1 (45 min) class

 

 

 

Last updated: 3/10/2015