Mendel Dreams
The Beginning of Genetics
Author(s)
Abstract
In this PowerPoint-based clicker case, developed for use in either a general biology or general genetics class, students are introduced to the life and work of Gregor Mendel. The initial slides set up the story as we see Mendel, who is ill, reminiscing about his pea plant experiments. As the storyline unfolds, students are placed in a position where they have to think their way through some data the way that Mendel presumably had to do himself. The case covers the highlights of early genetics including monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, and discusses the downfall of the blending hypothesis.
Objectives
- Describe some of the history of Mendel's work on patterns of inheritance.
- Explain the blending hypothesis.
- Explain the law of the segregation of alleles.
- Explain the law of independent assortment.
- Set up a Punnett square correctly.
- Draw conclusions about inheritance from genetic cross data.
- Predict outcomes from genetic cross experiments.
- Design genetic cross experiments to answer questions about inheritance and analyze genetic cross experiments to improve them.
Keywords
Heredity; inheritance; monohybrid; dihybrid; dominant; recessive; phenotype; genotype; alleles; homozygous; heterozygous; Punnett square; particle theory of inheritance; law of segregation; law of independent assortment; experimental designTopical Areas
History of science, Scientific methodEducational Level
Undergraduate lower divisionFormat
PDF, PowerPointType / Methods
Clicker, InterruptedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Biology (General) | Genetics / Heredity | Botany / Plant Science |
Date Posted
8/14/2012Teaching Notes
Case teaching notes are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.
Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.
Answer Key
Answer keys for the cases in our collection are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.