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Cell Differentiation and Epigenetics

Red blood cells and skin cellsIn this analysis and discussion activity, students answer minds-on questions as they learn about the differentiation of specialized cell types, including the role of changes in epigenetic control of gene expression during cell differentiation.

Students also learn about environmental influences on epigenetic control of gene expression and the need for cell division and differentiation even in a fully grown adult.

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc, designed for use in online instruction and distance learning. (For additional instructions, see https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/Googledocs, especially item 7.) The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

AttachmentSize
epigenetics SHO.docx21.74 MB
epigenetics SHO.pdf531.68 KB
epigenetics TN.docx121.35 KB
epigenetics TN.pdf586.89 KB
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Download Minds-On Activities for Teaching Biology

Introduction and Activities Listing

Intro and Biological Molecules

Cell

Cell Structure and Function

Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

Cell Division

Cell Division

Genealogy

Genetics

Genealogy

Molecular Biology

Natural Selection

Evolution

Natural Selection

Ecology

Runner

Human Physiology and Health

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To preserve the value of these learning activities for other teachers, please do not post keys for any questions from any of these activities!

Creative Commons License

Authors

Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, who is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and middle school and high school teachers in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful to Craig Douglas for his generous help with graphics.

 

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Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities has 50 remote-ready activities, which work for either your classroom or remote teaching.

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