Genetic Inheritance

Activity Summary
This activity is meant to demonstrate how genes are passed from one generation to the next. Students use heredity patterns to compare mutated and non-mutated fiddler crab genes found in a salt marsh after a chemical spill. True mutations are not used; this exercise is simply to introduce students to the concepts of inheritance patterns and human impact.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Demonstrate how chromosomes are passed from parent to offspring
2. Explain the process of inheritance
3. Explain what mutations are and how they affect DNA

Lesson Materials (view or download)
Lesson Plan

Keywords
heredity, genetics, mutations

Last updated: 3/3/2015