Blog Post Week 8

 












1. This week in lab, we first checked on our fast plants. They had reached the last stage in their life cycle. I was surprised to see some purple in the flower's color. After this, we reviewed our reading reflection from the previous week as well as what we did in lab. I further learned about the difference between phenotype and genotype and inherited versus acquired traits. Following this, we did two DNA mutation simulations individually. I was able to learn how mutations impact proteins. I learned that there are three types of mutations: point, insertion, and deletion. We continued to learn about mutations with a superhero activity. We were able to learn how mutations can be both positive, negative, and neutral. 
4. I plan to apply what I have learned to my teaching in the future when teaching about DNA and DNA mutations. I would like to use the simulation activities that we did online with my students so that they are able to play with it on their own and learn in a hands-on way. I would also like to use the superhero activity in my classroom. This was a fun way to learn about mutations and created a good analogy to superheros and how mutations work. 
5. What are new or remaining questions?
Is there an activity similar to the simulation online that can be done without technology?
Is there an activity that would allow students to create their own superhero while still learning about mutations?
Are most mutations positive, negative, or neutral?



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