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Alabama · Alabama Science · Grade 7

SC23.7.13b: Construct an explanation from evidence of how genetic variants may…

Construct an explanation from evidence of how genetic variants may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects on the structure and function of an organism.

The Alabama Course of Study: Science (2023) outcome SC23.7.13b (Life Sciences) for Grade 7 says: “Construct an explanation from evidence of how genetic variants may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects on the structure and function of an organism.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Alabama Course of Study: Science (2023).

Genes and Traits: Heredity and Punnett Squares Grades 7–8

Why you look like your family but not exactly, how two purple-flowered pea plants can have a white-flowered one, what Gregor Mendel really counted, and what happens when a gene changes. Four no-materials lessons with printed allele cards, Punnett squares, Mendel's own data and a real gene to decode.

  • What happens when a gene changes? 45–60 min

    Students decode the first words of the real human haemoglobin gene, apply five mutation cards and see which changes alter the protein. Then they stand in the corner of the room that matches each real case: harmful, neutral, helpful or it depends. They explain how a change in a gene can change a protein and a trait.

Printable practice for SC23.7.13b

These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to SC23.7.13b is partial.

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Compared with NGSS: MS-LS3-1 (partial).

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