DNA Barcoding – Ticks

Activity Summary
In this lab activity, students will combine geographic, background, disease transmission, and DNA barcode information to identify which Dermacentor tick caused the human tick-borne disease outbreak. DNA barcoding is an important tool for the identification of species, especially species that are hard to identify morphologically. Students will be provided with an introduction to ticks and DNA barcoding before the activity begins.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Define a DNA barcode
2. Identify two emerging tick-borne diseases
3. Label the disease transmission process in tick-borne diseases

Lesson Materials (view or download)
PowerPoint
Lesson Plans

Keywords
population percentage, DNA, microorganisms, soil

Last updated: 3/3/2015