Advanced Genetics (2020-2021)

Characteristics of Science

Academic Knowledge

design and conduct scientific investigations

apply standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations

use technology to collect, observe, measure, and analyze data and report findings

use valid critical assumptions to draw conclusions

apply computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and developing conclusions

communicate scientific information, ideas, and arguments clearly

read scientific materials to establish context for subject matter, to develop vocabulary, and to be aware of current research

discuss the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in science and exhibit these traits in efforts to understand how the world works

understand genes and their functions

explain recombinant DNA technology

explain Mendelian genetics

explain gene expression

explain the regulation of gene expression in bacteria, bacteriophages, and eukaryotes

identify genetic changes, including DNA mutation and repair, human genetic diseases, and the detection of mutations

explain the genetics of populations, including genotypic frequencies and allelic frequencies, Hardy-Weinberg, variation in natural populations, and forces that change gene frequencies

examine the ethical and legal issues arising from the application of bioengineering

identify, develop, and investigate questions/problems that can be answered through scientific inquiry

suggest hypotheses for identified problems

recognize hypotheses often lead to the development of new experiments

develop procedures for solving scientific problems

control the conditions of scientific investigations

collect, organize, and record appropriate data

recognize different explanations may be given for the same evidence

explain further understanding of scientific problems relies on the design, and execution of new experiments may reinforce or weaken explanations

recognize testing, revising, and occasionally rejecting new and existing theories is a continuous process

recognize universal principles are discovered through observation and experimental verification and basic principles are the same everywhere (e.g., law of conservation of matter)

recognize major shifts in scientific views typically occur after the observation of a new phenomenon or the interpretation of existing data

examine the role of curiosity and skepticism in scientific investigation

recognize science disciplines differ from one another in what is studied, techniques used, and outcomes sought

follow precisely a complex multi-step procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks; analyze the specific results based on explanations in the text

conduct short, as well as more sustained, research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation 

follow correct procedures for use of scientific apparatus

demonstrate appropriate techniques in all laboratory situations

follow correct protocol for identifying and reporting safety problems and violations

develop and use systematic procedures for recording and organizing information

use graphical analysis software to produce tables/graphs and to determine constants in experiments

use technology to develop, test, and revise experimental/mathematical models

develop reasonable conclusions based on data collected

evaluate whether conclusions are reasonable by reviewing the process and checking against other available information

assess the quality of data critically for possible sources of bias

distinguish among laws, theories, and inferences

recognize the merit of a new theory is judged by how well scientific data are explained by the new theory

cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account

synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible

draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research

determine the source of large disparities between estimated and calculated results

examine the possible effects of measurement errors on calculations

relate the number of significant figures to precision of measuring instrument

explain the relationship between accuracy and precision

express the appropriate number of significant figures for calculated data, using scientific notation where appropriate

solve scientific problems by substituting quantitative values, using dimensional analysis and/or simple algebraic functions as appropriate

compare and analyze data points graphically and/or summary statistics

write clear, coherent laboratory reports related to scientific investigations

write clear, coherent accounts connecting scientific content including: procedures/experiments, current, and historical scientific issues

in written or oral presentations, use evidence, including data, to support scientific arguments and claims, and present possible alternative interpretations

participate in group discussions of scientific investigations and current scientific issues

use peer reviews to analyze accuracy of scientific writings/reports

integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem

produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience

develop and strengthen writing, as needed, by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience

use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information

 gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation 

write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences

read grade-level appropriate text (both informational and fictional) from a variety of genres and modes of discourse

discuss messages and themes from text and relate to other subject areas

use content vocabulary in writing and speaking

apply strategies for determining content and contextual meaning for unknown words

examine relationship between life experiences and subject area content

determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11-12 texts and topics

analyze how the text structures information or ideas into categories or hierarchies, demonstrating understanding of the information or ideas

by the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11-12 text complexity band independently and proficiently

describe DNA as genetic material and define the organization of DNA in chromosomes

describe DNA replication, including the mechanism of replication, the biochemistry of replication, prokaryotic replication, and eukaryotic replication

explain the discovery of gene control of protein structure

explain genetically based enzyme deficiencies and their historical significance

describe transcription and translation

explain recombinant DNA technology, including cloning, DNA libraries, and enzyme restriction analysis

explain the applications of recombinant technology including testing for gene mutations, isolating human genes, and DNA identification

explain gene analysis, including gene sequencing, functional genomics, and comparative genomics

discuss the ethical and legal implications of recombinant DNA technology

identify the history and the role of Mendelian genetics in the study and advancement of the field of genetics

analyze mono/dihybrid crosses, probability, and pedigree analysis

explain the chromosomal basis of heredity, including linkage, sex determination, and sex-linkage

define the role of multiple alleles, modified dominance, gene interactions and epigenetics, and gene expression and the environment in advanced Mendelian genetics

construct genetic maps and explain the history of gene mapping in eukaryotes

explain the history of gene mapping in prokaryotes and identify the role of genetic mapping through conjugation, as well as transformation and transduction

explain mapping of genes in plasmids and bacteriophages

define and identify examples of non-Mendelian inheritance, including mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes, maternal effects, and imprinting

identify the genetics of cancer and the relationship of the cell cycle to cancer

explain the role of operons and their regulation

explain how eukaryotic genes are regulated

define and give examples of transposable elements and transposition in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

define and give examples of chromosomal mutations and chromosomal changes

describe quantitative genetics, including continuous traits, statistics and genetics, and polygenic inheritance

describe the role of molecular evolution

discuss the concerns relating to genetically modified foods, cloning, bioterrorism, gene therapy, and stem cells

discuss the ethical issues related to genetics

discuss the legal issues related to genetics

explore the spectrum of contamination factors that can negate or call into question results from genetics experiments

explain when experimental protocols are performed without contamination and the results are accepted as accurate and precise

develop written topics by organizing ideas, making important connections and linking and clarifying relationships

support written topics by using relevant facts, domain specific vocabulary and appropriate data representation (including graphics, tables, charts and figures to aid comprehension)

use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the written topics and convey a style appropriate to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely readers

establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which one is writing

provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic)

organize information in order to establish clear relationships between scientific arguments, reasons, and evidence

evaluate strengths and limitations of claims and counterclaims

provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented

read technical text related to various subject areas

determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; summarize complex concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler, but still accurate, terms

respond to text, using multiple modes of discourse

evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information

analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text, identifying important issues that remain unresolved

examine the features of disciplinary texts