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Meiosis and Fertilization – Understanding How Genes Are Inherited

In this hands-on, minds-on activity, students use model chromosomes and answer analysis and discussion questions to learn about the processes of meiosis and fertilization.

Students first analyze how the processes of meiosis and fertilization result in the alternation between diploid and haploid cells in the human lifecycle. To learn how meiosis produces genetically diverse gametes, students analyze the results of crossing over and independent assortment.

As they model meiosis and fertilization, students follow the alleles of a human gene from the parents' body cells through gametes to zygotes.They learn how the outcomes of meiosis and fertilization can be represented in a Punnett square.

A final brief section contrasts sexual reproduction with asexual reproduction.

This activity can be used to introduce meiosis and fertilization or to review these processes. 
(NGSS)

Download Student Handout: PDF format or Word format

Download Teacher Preparation Notes: PDF format or Word format

 The Teacher Preparation Notes provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. A remote-ready analysis and discussion version of the Student Handout is available at https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/meiosisRR. In the attachments below, we provide the older version of the Student Handout in case you have already made model chromosomes and do not want to change the symbols for the alleles of the genes.

Comments

iwaldron's picture

September 2021 revision

The September 2021 revision improved the wording of some questions in the Student Handout and clarified some points in the Teacher Notes.
Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

2021 revision

The main revision has been a change in the symbols for the alleles of the genes on the model chromosomes, to avoid confusion between lower case and capital letters (e.g., s and S). If you have already made model chromosomes and do not want to change the symbols, we provide the older version of the Student Handout for your convenience.
Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

2018 revision

To enhance student understanding and retention of basic concepts, we have enhanced the graphical representations, clarified some of the verbal explanations, and revised many of the questions.

Serendip Visitor's picture

Answer Key

Hey I plan on teaching this on Monday, can you get the answer key to me by then?

Thanks, Aidan

iwaldron's picture

Answer Key

Please see the Teacher Preparation Notes for much useful information, including the directions for requesting a copy of the key.

Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

2017 revision

The Student Handout has been substantially revised to engage students in more active learning and clarify the instructions, questions and explanations. In addition we have sharpened the focus on how genes are inherited via meiosis and fertilization. 

Serendip Visitor's picture

answer key

when will the answer key arrive? im planning on teaching this, and need to know how long it will take to plan accordingly. Thanks!

iwaldron's picture

Keys

I am usually, but not always, able to send a key within 24-48 hours.

Ingrid Waldron

Serendip Visitor's picture

answer key

is there a answer key yet i'm in desperate need of it

iwaldron's picture

Answer key available

Please see the Teacher Preparation Notes for much useful information, including the directions for requesting a copy of the key.

Ingrid

Mickey Alexander's picture

Answer Sheet

I cannot find the answer key. Where is it located?

Mr. Alexander

Ann Dixon's picture

see below

Please see the comment below.

Rey 's picture

Biology

I can't find the answers to my lab

Serendip Visitor's picture

Answer key

i love the parket, it's very helpful but i'm unsure of some answer and i'm unable to locate and answer key. Where is it?

iwaldron's picture

Answer Key

Please see page 5 of the Teacher Preparation Notes, available above.

Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

November 2015 revision

Based on teacher feedback, the questions, explanations and figures in the Student Handout have been revised and reorganized for greater clarity and better focus on the most important concepts. In addition, we have developed a shorter and somewhat simplified version of the Student Handout which is appropriate for middle school and some high school students. The Teacher Preparation Notes have been revised for greater clarity and completeness.

Mrs. Farles's picture

Answer sheet

Hi,
I have been looking at your website and was thinking of doing this activity with my students, however I do not see a link to download the answersheet to the worksheet. Where could I find this?

I look forward to a prompt response.

Mrs. Farles

iwaldron's picture

Answer Keys

I encourage you to read the Teacher Preparation Notes available at the link above. These Teacher Preparation Notes include information about how to get a copy of the key, instructional suggestions, background biology and learning goals, all of which I think will be helpful for you as you consider using this activity.

iwaldron's picture

February 2015 revision of meiosis and fertilization activity

This meiosis and fertilization activity has been improved by:

  • reorganization and clarification of some of the questions in the Student Handout
  • clarification of the directions for the modeling activities
  • the addition of diagrams where students record the results of their modeling in order to reinforce student understanding of key concepts.

We are grateful to the middle school and high school teachers who provided helpful suggestions for improvements.

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