Lesson 4: Errors in Cell Division

Lesson 4: STSE

MINDS ON

Anticipation-Reaction Guide (Down Syndrome): The students will have already had exposure to an anticipation-reaction guide, so this one will need less explaining. The teacher can create a list of myths or stereotypes (may be controversial depending on the teachers' comfort) around down syndrome.
The students can then watch a mini-documentary on down syndrome and complete the "reaction" section of their A-R Guide.
Getting students to realize how meiotic errors are responsible for genetic abnormalities like down syndrome could allow for moments of discussion where students may feel more compassionate and understanding.

PEDAGOGY

Lesson on Non-Disjunction, Monosomy, Trisomy: Discuss how meiotic errors occur, which phase they occur in, what types of meiotic errors can occur and the effect on the individual. Introduce the concept of the karyotype.
Karyotyping Activity: Print out various karyotypes showing 1) healthy female, 2) healthy male, 3) down syndrome female, 4) down syndrome male, 5) turner syndrome female, 6) turner syndrome male, etc. Have students form groups to reconstruct the karyotype using the set of chromosome pairs given based on their "case." Students will answer a series of questions around their "case" to identify the gender and whether there are meiotic errors in the karyotype.
Cancer Cell Division (Spongelab). This sponge lab interactive will allow students to see the effect of cancer on cell division. This will segway into a discussion about how cancer cells divide in comparison to healthy cells and how cancer is treated.
Discussion Case Study Assignment: This topic is an excellent opportunity for an STSE / Case Study assignment. Students can answer a question around ethics of genetics and cell division by choosing a stake holder, doing research and presenting their case to their class.

CONSOLIDATION

ASSESSMENT
Diagnostic

Formative

Summative