Name: Mira Maxwell

Date: 4/11/16

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?
a. A genome is an organisms complete set of DNA, including all of its genes
2. On the left hand side, click on cells and DNA. Explore this site to answer the
following questions:
a. What is a chromosome?
i. A chromosome is made of tightly coiled DNA around proteins that
support its structure. They are thread-like structures which the DNA
is packaged into.
b. When are chromosomes visible?
i. The DNA that makes up chromosomes becomes more tightly
packed during cell division and is then visible under a microscope.
c. What is a centromere?
i. A constriction point in each chromosome that divides the
chromosome into 2 sections (arms).
d. How many chromosomes do people have?
i. There are 23 chromosomes in each cell. 22 of them are
autosomes, and the last one is the x or y chromosome. Females
have two xs and males have an x and a y chromosome.
Go to: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/karyotype/
3. What is a karyotype?
a. A karyotype is an organized profile of a person's chromosomes.
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?
a. Its from a male because both the x and y chromosomes are present.
5. Predict what would happen if a person has the incorrect number of
chromosomes. Write your prediction here.
a. If they had more, then I think theyd have Downs syndrome, which I think
affects mobility.
6. Do a quick google search to find the answer to question 5.
a. It could be fatal, or theyd have a deformity like Downs syndrome.
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.
Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction

Name: Mira Maxwell

Date: 4/11/16

1.

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

a. In a real cell, the molecule unwinds from spools made of protein, then
untwists.
2. What molecules break the rungs (bases) apart?
a. 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?
a. More than 3 billion.
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 #
1
2
3

How many
chromosomes?
46

How many
base pairs?
3,000 (in
millions)
180

How many
genes?
34,000

13,500

What is the
organism?
Human Being
M tuberculosis
Fruit Fly

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

Description
A mutation that exchanges one base
for another.

Insertion

Mutations in which extra base pairs

are inserted into a new place in the
dna.
Mutations in which a section of dna is
lost or deleted.

Deletion

Frameshift

Effect on resulting protein

It could change the way protein is
produced (sickle cell), silent mutations, or
cause incomplete proteins which could
have serious effects.

Insertions and deletion could alter a

gene so that its message is no longer
correctly parsed.

Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction