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?
It is an organisms complete set of DNA. This includes all of its genes. It holds all
the information to build and maintain the organism. A copy of a genome is more
than 3 billion base pairs and in every cell that has a nucleus.

2. On the left hand side, click on cells and DNA. Explore this site to answer the
following questions:
a. What is a chromosome?
Thread like structures packed into the DNA molecule and in the nucleus of
each cell.
b. When are chromosomes visible?
They are only visible during cell division.

c. What is a centromere?
The constriction point in a chromosome. It divides the chromosome into
two sections.

d. How many chromosomes do people have?

Each human cell usually contains 23 pairs, or a total of 46.
Go to: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/karyotype/
3. What is a karyotype?
It is an organized profile of a persons chromosome.
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? It is a male chromosome because it is xy and male
chromosomes are xy.

Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction

Name________________________________________

Date_______

5. Predict what would happen if a person has the incorrect number of

chromosomes. Write your prediction here.
I think a person would get Down syndrome if they have an extra pair of
chromosomes. If they dont have enough pairs there would be genetic disorders.

6. Do a quick google search to find the answer to question 5.

If they have 21 chromosomes they would have Down syndrome. If someone has
extra chromosomes, it could be very lethal and cause death.

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 spools made of protein, then it unzips.

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 Billion

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 #
1

How many
chromosomes?
5

How many
base pairs?
125

How many
genes?
2500

What is the
organism?
Thale Cress

14

22.7

5300

278

13700

Malaria
parasite

Malaria
Mosquito
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

Extra bas pair inserted

Deletion

Section of the DNA is lost or deleted

Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Effect on resulting protein

It could form a new variation of a protein,
cause no change or not produce a protein
at all.

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction

Name________________________________________
Frameshift

When messages are not properly

formulated in the gene.

Modeling Instruction AMTA 2012

Date_______

The gene message becomes useless.

Unit 6 Growth and Reproduction