Chromosome Simulation 1-Station Kit

Starting with the phenomenon of planarians multiplying by both asexual and sexual reproduction, students make sense of the differences between mitosis and meiosis. In Part 1, chromosome models are used to answer the driving question, "What happens to chromosomes when a cell divides to make a copy of itself?" Chromosome models are developed and evaluated again in Part 2 to answer the meiosis driving question, "How is the chromosome number reduced in sperm and egg cells so when they combine their chromosomes, the new organism has the correct number?" Time Requirement Making sense of mitosis and then building and evaluating models of mitosis and meiosis, 5 class periods. Digital Resources Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments. Performance Expectation(s) HS-LS1-4 and HS-LS3-2 Crosscutting Concepts Systems and System Models Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms LS3.B: Variation in Traits Science and Engineering Practices Developing and Using Models Learning Objectives * Make sense of what happens to chromosomes during mitosis and why it is important in the growth and development of organisms. * Create, present, and evaluate models of mitosis and meiosis. * Make sense of what happens to chromosomes during meiosis and why it is important to sexual reproduction and variation of traits. * Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis. Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills Students should be familiar with the size, scale, and function of the cell, nucleus, and chromosomes. They should be familiar with the relationship between DNA, genes, alleles, chromosomes, and with the basic understanding of asexual and sexual reproduction and how they benefit organisms.