I. Title of Module:

• Biological Investigations

II. Author(s):

• Miriam Rivas

III. Grade Level:

• High School 9-12

IV. Nature of The Students:

• Urban Minority

V. Purposes (Course Objectives):

1. Students will be able make use of the scientific method in various activities to mimic the process that different forensic experts use to unravel a mystery.
2. Students will learn about autopsy, and skeletal remains.
3. Students will be able to determine blood type through saliva samples.
4. Students will have generalunderstanding of DNA and RNA and their role in body chemistry.

VI. Overview: (Course Description):

• This course offers high school students the opportunity to investigate biological concepts that are applicable to the field of forensic science.   The activities include dissecting, blood typing, fingerprinting, hair analysis, and the modern genetic technique of DNA fingerprinting.

  A dissection of a rat is used to represent an autopsy, while the dissection of owl pellets is used to mimic the identification of skeletal remains and the use of dental records.   A “simulated blood typing whodunit” will introduce the blood types and the immune response.  In addition, students will have the opportunity to determine their blood type by using their saliva.     

  A simulated protein synthesis will be used to gain a general understanding of the DNA and RNA molecules and their role in body chemistry.  Through the modern techniques of transformation and a “DNA fingerprinting whodunit”students will gain an understanding of genetic manipulation, alteration, and analysis.  In conclusion they will have an opportunity to solve a mini mystery using their own fingerprints, handwriting samples, hair samples, including conducting numerous chemical tests on simulated urine and unknown compounds.

   The schedule of activities is outlined below:

SCHEDULE

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Last Updated July 25, 2001 by Roz Krakowsky
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