Investigations in Science 7 March 11, 2016

What we did this week:

We started the week by researching the four genetic diseases. We then
moved on to learning the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction is one parent that creates a genetically identical offspring.
Some different types are budding (potato), cell fission (amoeba), runners
(strawberry plant), cutting (plants), and regeneration (starfish). Sexual
reproduction involves two parents and creates an offspring with a combination of
genes. The genetic variations created by sexual reproduction allows a species to
adapt to their environment over time.
We then focused in on genetic traits. Genetics is the study of how traits are
inherited. Traits are determined by genes. We created a genetic traits tree in
the classroom based on whether students had attached or free earlobes, roll their
tongue, and could taste PTC paper (which if you can taste it, it is very bitter and
unpleasant). I have a picture of our tree on my class blog. Students also did an
inventory of other traits that they have and what they have in common with their
tablemates.
Alleles are different forms of a trait, they give us specific information
about the trait. Everyone has two alleles for the trait, one from the mother and
one from the father. Alleles that are stronger than others are called dominant
alleles. Weaker alleles are called recessive. Recessive alleles will only be
expressed (shown) if there are no dominant alleles present (both alleles are
recessive). For example, brown eyes is a dominant trait and blue eyes is a
recessive trait. Someone will only have blue eyes if they have two recessive alleles.
Today, we will be finishing up learning about asexual and sexual reproduction.
Announcements:
This week we have some new prizes that students can cash in with their
minion bucks. We are raffling off prizes. Students can put a minion buck in a box

with their name on it and during lunch, we will pull minion bucks and they can win a
prize. Some of the prizes included, free homework passes, being a student aide
for a period, candy, snacks and other assorted goods. Students can also cash in
their minion bucks to vote for the next spirit day that will be on March 22. Coming
soon, we will have a prize that is related to March Madness.
Coming Up:
Topics:
Genetic cellular information
Thymus DNA
Punnett Squares
Dates:
March 16 7th and 8th Grade Band Field Trip
March 18-19 Spring Play, 7:30 pm
March 20 Spring Play, 2:00 pm
March 22 Spirit Day To be announced based on student votes
March 22 & 23 No after school activities
March 23 Orchestra Field Trip
April 8 End of Quarter 3 (CHANGED DATE)