DNA and Endangered Species

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Grades 6-8

Overview:

In this lesson, students will learn some basics about DNA and genetics and will then learn how DNA can be used to study and help endangered animals. They will visit a Web site with information about specific research projects, and write paragraphs explaining how DNA and genetics research might be used to help an endangered or threatened species.

Connections to the Curriculum:

Geography, life science

Connections to the National Geography Standards:

Standard 8: "The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface"

Time:

Three hours

Materials Required:

Computer with Internet access
Writing materials

Objectives:

Students will

take an online quiz to see whether they have inherited certain capabilities (e.g., rolling the tongue);
discuss what they already know about genetics and heredity in people and animals;
solve an online mystery involving an endangered species smuggling case;
read and take notes about how DNA research is being used to help six animal species; and
write paragraphs explaining how DNA and genetics research might be used to help a particular species.

Geographic Skills:

Acquiring Geographic Information
Organizing Geographic Information
Answering Geographic Questions
Analyzing Geographic Information

S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e

Opening:

Have students do the Genetic Journey activity to see whether they have certain inherited traits. Have them compare their results to those of their classmates and of the other people who have answered the questions on this Web site.

Discuss what students already know about genetics and heredity. Do they already know what DNA is? Do they understand why they might look very different from their parents or siblings?

Discuss the things students know about animal heredity. If anyone has more than one pet from the same family, what have they noticed about these animals? Do they look exactly alike, or are they different? Is it possible for every member of a litter of kittens or puppies to look different from the others in its litter and from its parents?

Explain to the class that they will be learning about DNA and its role in heredity. They will then explore ways that DNA is being used to study endangered animals.

Development:

Have students read through The Science Scoop on the American Museum of Natural History's Gene Scene site and answer the questions below. You may choose to have them do this as a class or in small groups.

What is a genome?
Approximately how many base pairs are in the entire human genome?
About how long did it take scientists to map out the human genome? How did they do it?
How alike are human beings? What percentage of each person's DNA is the same as every other human being on earth?

Remind students that animals and plants, as well as people, have DNA. Have them go to The Gene Scene and link to "DNA Detective." Ask them to go through this feature and solve the mystery.

Discuss the answers to these questions:

How was DNA used to solve this case?
How might DNA be used in efforts to protect endangered species?

Have students link to "Around the World with DNA" from The Gene Scene . Ask them to read about each animal discussed in this section (humpback whale, spotted owl, Sumatran tiger, ruffed lemur, pacu, and St. Vincent parrot). Have them list these animals and explain in one or two sentences how DNA research is being used to help the species.

Closing:

Discuss what students have discovered by exploring the "Around the World with DNA" pages. List on the board the ways that students think DNA can be used to help endangered or protected species.

Suggested Student Assessment:

Ask each student to choose one endangered or threatened species they are familiar with, or one from "Around the World with DNA" (they should remember that the pacu is not endangered). Have students write paragraphs explaining how DNA and genetics research might be used to help this species.

More information about the animals students have already learned about can be found at these sites:

National Geographic: Animals and Nature Guide
The St. Vincent Amazon
Tigers in Trouble

Extending the Lesson:

Have students research and report on recent developments and discoveries in human genetics. The Gene Scene has some information about this topic.
Have students do one or more of the activities at The Gene Scene's "Stuff to Do" .

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