MARSHMALLOW

MEIOSIS

A facilitator's guide to genetics.

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In-class workshops, Marshmallow Meiosis
 Contents
A. Description of Workshop ....................................................................................................................... 3
B. How to Run This Workshop................................................................................................................... 4
C. Introduction to Topic.............................................................................................................................. 4
D. Activities .................................................................................................................................................. 6
ACTIVITY: REEBOPS ............................................................................................................................... 7
E. Wrap-Up ................................................................................................................................................... 8
F. Glossary ................................................................................................................................................... 9
G. Background Information...................................................................................................................... 10
H. Completed Worksheet.......................................................................................................................... 11

Legend

Choice- gives an alternative method for activity structure

Ask the Educator - Be sure to communicate with your educator before coming into
the classroom. You will find information you may need to ask in this box.

Cool Fact pieces of interesting information that can be interspersed throughout the
workshop as appropriate.

NOTE: The formatting in this workshop will let you know things to say, things to do, and things you can
expect the students to say using the following formatting

Italicized print guideline for scripting (statements or questions that you could say)
Arrowed bullets, normal print instructions for things that you could do (i.e., show an object)
Bold Print responses that the students might give

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A. Description of Workshop

Grade for Workshop/ Appropriate Age

This activity is designed for use in Grade 8 classrooms or with children ages 12 to 14.

Overview of Workshop

This activity could be used as an introduction to genetics, or just as easily as a

summary where students can use the vocabulary they have learned. Reebops are
imaginary organisms that are prolific yet require minimum care. Students will sort the
parental chromosomes, select new offspring chromosome, decode the new
chromosomes and construct the baby Reebops. Meiosis, fertilization, development
and birth all in one class!

Science Topics Overall Objectives

Meiosis Understand how meiosis occurs to

Genetics form gametes
Chromosomes Understand the processes and
importance of genetic variation

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B. How to Run This Workshop
Physical Requirements

Students will work in partners at their desks.

Materials and Set-Up

Activity
1 bag of large white marshmallows*
1 bag of small coloured marshmallows*
1 container of push pins*
1 container of thumb tacks*
30 pipe cleaners (cut in half)*
1 box of toothpicks*
30 sheets of construction paper (2 different colours)
15 medium sized envelopes
*Consumable items

Timing of Activity

Part of Workshop: Suggested Timing: Cumulative Timing:

General Introduction 15 min 15 min
Activity 35 min 50 min
Wrap-Up 10 min 60 min

C. Introduction to Topic
Object of the Introduction

To introduce yourself and the concept of genetics

Introduce yourself

Today we are going to talk about genetics. Does anyone know what genetics is?
Genetics is the study of genes and the genetic code that gives us all our
characteristics.

A great example of genetics is the ability to roll your tongue. Can you roll your tongue?
Have students try, and raise their hand if they are capable.

The ability to role your tongue is an inherited trait from your parent! Go home tonight
and ask your parents if they can; you should have similar abilities!

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The study of genetics started with Gregor Mendel, a monk who studied modes of
inheritance with pea plants. He looked for inherited traits such as the height of the
plants, and the colour of the flowers. His work was not appreciated when he was alive,
and was rediscovered after his death. Genetics has now become widely accepted in
science.

Weve made a lot of progress in the area of genetics since the time of Mendel and have
now learnt a great deal about the way living things store genetic information.

Does anyone know how we store genetic information?

The storage system is called DNA.

Does anyone know what DNA stands for?

Deoxyribonucleic acid

All the information needed to make us who we are is stored as a code in our DNA. We
have HUGE amount of DNA in each of our cells and to make sure that it all fits in it has
to be wrapped up in special forms. There are many ways that DNA can be folded, but
the one were going to talk about today is known as chromosomes.

COOL FACT: If you were to line up all of the DNA found in every cell of a
human body (approximately 10 trillion cells), it would stretch from the earth to
the sun 100 times!

Chromosomes look like this (Hold up X shaped pipe cleaners). This X is made up of
tightly coiled DNA!

Living things have different numbers and sizes of chromosomes. Does anyone know
how many chromosomes a human has?
46 chromosomes

The 46 chromosomes are actually made up of two sets of 23 chromosomes. Why do

you think we have two sets?
One set from your mother, and the other from your father

Two matching chromosomes, with the same genes, are called homologous
chromosomes.

We say 46 is our diploid number, or the number of unique chromosomes we have. 23

is our haploid number, or the number of homologous pairs we have.
Summarize this on a white board (Diploid = 46, haploid = 23)

Weve mentioned that you get half of your chromosomes from your mother and half
from your father. How come you do not look identical to your siblings, who have also
received the same DNA?
Because each parent had two different homologous chromosomes, and you may
have gotten different copies.
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The process in which gametes (our sperm and our egg!) are formed is called meiosis.

ASK THE EDUCATOR: Ask the teacher whether the class has covered
mitosis. If so, mention that meiosis is similar to mitosis, except you end up
with 4 haploid cells instead of 2 diploid cells because there are two cellular
divisions. If they have not covered mitosis, do not bring this up.

Lets do a quick demonstration of how this works.

Call up 4 volunteers
Have two volunteers stand on one side of the room, and the other two on the
other side of the room this will separate our two homologous pairs
(chromosome 1s together and chromosomes 2s together)
Ask the class what our haploid and diploid numbers are in this demonstration
Explain how in meiosis, similar to mitosis, our cells replicate their DNA first to
allow for more genetic variation
Call up 4 more volunteers to go link arms with one of the existing volunteers
Explain how in meiosis 1 cell divides into 4 cells
Have the volunteers from one side of the room go find a partner from the other
side of the room
Repeat this a few times with the same volunteers finding different partners to
show how chromosomes can arrange themselves in different ways

How come our new cells from that demonstration only had a haploid number of
chromosomes?
Because they represent a sperm or an egg. They will fuse with another cell with a
haploid number of chromosomes to form a diploid zygote.

D. Activities
BEFORE THE ACTIVITY

1. Two adult Reebops need to be assembled

2. Make the chromosomes. Make each pair different lengths where the longest
should be about 15 cm x 2.5 cm and the shortest 3 cm x 2.5 cm so that each
successive pair is about 2 cm shorter than the last. Use one colour of
construction paper for moms and the other for dads
3. Place a full set of mom and dad chromosomes in an envelope for each group of
students (groups of 2-3 are good). Each envelope should have 15 pieces from
the mom (somatic + X) and 17 pieces from the dad (somatic + X + Y).
4. Prepare a genotype/phenotype chart (see below). An overhead transparency
works well in a small room. Handouts could also be given out.

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 ACTIVITY: REEBOPS
(35 minutes)

Objective of the Activity

To understand the process of meiosis

To understand how genetics are passed between generations

Suggested Discussion and Instructions

Today we will be working with a brand new species called Reebops, which only have
16 chromosomes, or 8 homologous pairs. We will be distributing a mother and fathers
chromosomes to each of you in order to learn how parents create an offspring from their
DNA.
Hold up the parent/example Reebop for students to see
Have students record the Reebop characteristics for #1 on their worksheet

You will work in pairs. For today, one of each pair will have a set of male chromosomes,
and the other will have a set of female chromosomes.
Have students split into partners and decide who will represent the mother, and
who will represent the father
Hand out the envelopes containing the adults chromosomes.

Take your envelope, and working individually, lay out the chromosomes from smallest to
largest. Does anyone know what this is called?
This is called karyotyping, which is a technique used to analyse the
chromosomes of an individual.
Keep the letters on the chromosome face down

Now that the chromosomes have been karyotyped, how many chromosomes does each
parent have? Recall that homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that are
the same size and shape and code for the same characteristics (such as eye or hair
colour). How many pairs of homologous chromosomes does each parent have?
Have students answer #2 and #3 on their worksheet

Take one chromosome from each homologous pair in put it into a pile. Put the rest of
your chromosomes back into the envelope. What do these piles represent?
Sperm or an egg
Have students answer #5 and #6 on their worksheet

COOL FACT: The formation of sperm cells through meiosis is called

spermatogenesis while the formation of egg cells through meiosis is called
oogenesis.

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Now that we have our gametes, it is time for fertilization! Combine your egg and sperm
chromosomes. Right after fertilization, and before our reebop undergoes development,
we call this a zygote!
Have students answer #8 on their worksheet

Now that we have our baby reebops DNA, flip over the chromosomes so we can see
the alleles, or genetic instructions.
Have students fill in Table 1 on their worksheet

A genotype is the specific DNA code; for us it is the letters on our chromosomes! A
phenotype is the physical characteristic we see; look at Table 2 for this information!
Have students show you their completed Table 1 and tell you what materials they
need to build their reebops
Have students build their reebops
Have students present their reebop and compare it to its siblings

CHOICE: If time is limited, leave the Discussion and Conclusion for the
teacher to complete at a later time.

CHOICE: If time allows get 2 groups to pair up and have their new respective
Reebops mate. They grow up fast; after all you just witnessed meiosis,
fertilization, development and birth in the last 45 minutes or so.

E. Wrap-Up
Suggested Discussion and Instructions

What if our baby Reebop was missing a chromosome?

This can lead to disorders such as Down Syndrome, which occurs from having an
extra chromosome 21.

COOL FACT: Humans are the only animal that can survive with an abnormal
number of chromosomes. They only chromosomes that can withstand extras
are 13, 18, and 21 because they are so short and have so few genes on them!

Why do we need genetic variation? Why cant we create identical offspring?

For evolutionary purposes. If everyones DNA is the same, everyone would react
the same way to a situation. For example, if no one could eat a certain type of
berry, and those became the only food source, everyone would die. But, if
through genetic variation a few individuals could eat that berry, they would
survive and reproduce.

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 What was your favourite activity today?
Do you think ___subject___ is fun?
Do you have any questions for me?

F. Glossary
Allele
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene, found in the same place on a
chromosome.

Aneuploidy
Having an abnormal number of chromosomes, either extra or fewer copies.

Gamete
A haploid sex cell (ex. A sperm or egg)

Genetics
The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Genotype
The genetic information of an individual organism.

Germ cell
An embryonic cell with the potential of developing into a gamete.

Homozygous
A genotype that has two, identical alleles.

Heterozygous
A genotype that has two, different alleles.

Meiosis
A type of cell division that results in four, haploid daughter cells.

Mitosis
A type of cell division that results in two, diploid daughter cells.

Phenotype
The observable, physical characteristics of an individual, determined by their genotype.

Zygote
A diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; the result of fertilization.

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G. Background Information
The sorting of the individual chromosomes, which is followed by taking one
chromosome from each parent, represents meiosis. Pairing the new chromosomes to
make the baby is fertilization. Development and birth happens when the students make
their baby Reebops.

Reebops can be used with a wide range of age groups. The simple concept of
generation could be introduced with younger students. With older students you could
quiz them at any stage and ask what is happening or introduce concepts like dominant,
recessive, co-dominant, genotypes, phenotypes, linkage and multiple alleles.

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H. Completed Worksheet

1. Observe the Mom and Dad reebops that your teacher has provided for you.
A) Describe their physical characteristics.

1 antenna, 2 dorsal ridges, orange nose, curly tail, 2 eyes, 4 legs, 3 body segments

2. Work in groups of 2 students. Decide who will represent each parent. Remove the paper
chromosomes from each envelope. The father should lay the green chromosomes out on the desk
from largest to smallest. The mother should do the same with the pink chromosomes. You have just
created a reebop karyotype. Karyotyping is a technique used to analyze the chromosomes of an
individual.

B) How many chromosomes does each parent have? 16

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that are the same size and shape and code for the
same characteristics.
C) How many pairs of homologous chromosomes does each parent have? 8

3. Notice the letters on each chromosome (ex. #1 A, a; #2 Q, q). These letters (capital and lower case)
represent alleles. Alleles are different forms of a gene for a specific trait.
D) Why does each reebop have two alleles for a given trait?

There is one allele on each homologous chromosome; one from the mother, and one
from the father.

4. Turn the chromosomes over so you cannot see them. Keep them in karyotype order (in pairs, largest
to smallest).

5. The "father" should take one green chromosome from each pair and put it in a pile called "sperm."
E) Is the sperm diploid or haploid? haploid

F) What type of cell division makes sperm (mitosis or meiosis)? meiosis

6. The "mother" should take one pink chromosome from each pair and put it in a pile called "egg."
G) Is the egg diploid or haploid? haploid

H) What type of cell division makes eggs (mitosis or meiosis)? meiosis

7. Put the extra chromosomes back into the correct envelope.

8. Now, reebop fertilization can occur. Join the sperm and egg chromosome piles together. A reebop
has been formed! Flip the chromosomes over so you can read them and arrange them in
karyotype order (in pairs, largest to smallest).
I) How many chromosomes does your zygote have? 16

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 J) How does this compare to the number that each reebop parent had (question B)?
Same number

K) Is the zygote diploid or haploid? Diploid

L) What process has to occur for the zygote to develop into a baby?
(Embryonic) development

9. Complete the Table 1 below for your baby reebop by analyzing its chromosomes.
Record the letters on the chromosomes under "alleles."
The alleles that the baby reebop inherited are called its genotype. If the baby reebop has two of
the same alleles (ex. #1AA or aa) it is for that trait. If the baby reebop has two
different alleles (ex. #1Aa) it is for that trait.
Use table 2 to determine the reebops . The phenotype is the physical
characteristic expressed due to the genotype.

10. Place the pink chromosomes back onto the mother's envelope and green chromosomes back into
the father's envelope.

11. Build your baby reebop based on the phenotypes in table 1. Once assembled, draw a picture of your
baby reebop in the space below and complete the reebop birth certificate. Use colored pencils to shade
in dorsal ridges, nose, and legs (if applicable)

Baby's name ___________________________

12. Compare your baby reebop with three of its siblings. Is your reebop the same or different than its
siblings? Different, everyones chromosomes randomly distributed into sperm and egg.
However there are similarities because they do share similar genes.

Discussion and Conclusion: Write the answers to the following questions in complete sentences.

1. Reebops have a diploid number (2n) of 16. Explain how the diploid chromosome number is
maintained from one generation to the next. (In other words, why did the baby reebop have 16
chromosomes instead of 28?)

Germ cells divide twice so sperm and eggs only have a haploid number. Then when
fertilization occurs, two haploid cells combine to form a diploid cell.

2. For any given trait, how many does a baby reebop have? Explain why.

2; one from the mother and one from the father

3. Each reebop parent was for each characteristic. What does this mean?

They had two different alleles for every trait

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4. Children from the same parents are not exactly the same. Explain why this is true based on the
reebop activity (ie. Why did your baby Reebop look different compared to the Reebop babies of
your classmates?).

Chromosomes randomly distribute to form the gametes. This creates genetic variation.
This genetic variation is doubled because you have two gametes forming, thus two
situations for random distribution.

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