Summer SAVY 2016 (Session 2, Day 4) – Genetics I (Dr. Zeiger)

Posted by hallep on Thursday, June 23, 2016 in Grade 3, Grade 4, SAVY.

Today’s class was a fast paced day of genetics After learning about mutations, students mutated their Crazy Creatures to survive a new predator, the Frightus Catus. Ask your student about our mass extinction and about the real life ice fish that has antifreeze running through its veins! Students then learned about how geneticists specifically alter DNA of plants and animals through genetic engineering. We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified organisms and met a real life example of this in our lab tour.

The last part of class was spent visiting Dr. Miller’s lab. This lab uses the nematode, C. elegans, to study nervous system development and cell specific gene expression. Students had the opportunity to measure the worms, observe a mutant worm, and see flourescent proteins important for the nervous system. Make sure to ask your student how difficult it was to pick up the worms! Have a great night and we will see you tomorrow on our final day of Genetics.