Name________________________________________

Date_______

Genomes, Chromosomes, and DNA Web Quest

Topic: Genomes and Chromosomes
Go to: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/hgp/genome
1. What is a genome?
An organisms complete set of DNA including all its genes. Each genome
contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism.

2. On the left hand side, click on cells and DNA. Explore this site to answer the
following questions:
a. What is a chromosome?
In the nucleus of each cell, the DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like
structures called chromosomes.

b. When are chromosomes visible?

During cell division.

c. What is a centromere?
A restriction point which divides the chromosome into two.
d. How many chromosomes do people have?
46 chromosomes

Go to: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/karyotype/
3. What is a karyotype?
An organized profile of a person`s chromosomes. Two chromosomes specify the
gender of an organism.

4. Match the chromosomes to complete the karyotype (turn on hints for help). Is the
karyotype from a male or female? How do you know?
Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction

Name________________________________________

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Male because they have presence of an XY chromosome.

5. Predict what would happen if a person has the incorrect number of
chromosomes. Write your prediction here.
They would develop a genetic disorder.
6. Do a quick google search to find the answer to question 5.
They develop a genetic disorder like Trisomy where you have an extra
chromosome number 21, Klinefelters Syndrome where you have XXY
chromosomes or Edward Syndrome where you have an extra chromosome
number 13.
As a class you determined that chromosomes must be duplicated before the cell can
divide. This process is called DNA Replication.
Topic: DNA Replication
Go to: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/dna/shockwave.html
Click: DNA replication (upper left) and then click unzip Read the script, answer the
questions below, and then, click OK.
1.

In a real cell, what does the DNA molecule do before it unzips?

It unwinds from histones and untwists

2.

What molecules break the rungs (bases) apart?

Enzymes
Drag the correct bases over to synthesize the new DNA halves.
Read script, answer questions, and then click OK.
3.

How many base pairs are in the real human genome?

3 million

Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction

Name________________________________________

Date_______

Go to: http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/dna_double_helix/
Click on Play DNA Game; Click next and reading each page, continue to click next
until you come to the game.; Click on organism #1 and match the base pairs as fast as
you can! It is hard.
Click Next and then click on each organism until you identify the one that belongs to
chromosome #1; continue playing the game with the other two chromosomes, filling in
the chart below.
Be careful, other teams may get different results.
Chromosome #

How many
chromosomes?

How many
base pairs?

How many
genes?

What is the
organism?

46

3000

34000

Human

16

11.7

E-coli Bacteria
6300

Bakers Yeast

Topic: Mutations
Go to: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/mutations_03
Read the information and fill out the table below:
Type of mutation
Substitution
Insertion

Description

Effect on resulting protein

Exchanges a base for another base.

Causes no effects.

Extra base pairs are inserted into a

new place in the DNA.

Message is not completely parsed.

Losing a section of the DNA.

Message is not completely parsed.

The changes caused by insertion or

deletion.

Generates truncated proteins that are

real.

Deletion
Frameshift

Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction