Chromosome Simulation Kit (1 Station/Lab Group)

Students use a model of chromosomes, featuring simple-to-manipulate pop beads and magnetic centromeres, to understand and model the phases of mitosis and meiosis.

 

This hands-on simulation helps address student misconceptions about cellular division.

 

The high school modeling activity with manipulatives includes enough materials for 1 lab group, plus 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction.

 

Starting with the phenomenon of planarians multiplying by both asexual and sexual reproduction, students make sense of the differences between mitosis and meiosis.

 

In Part 1, chromosome models are used to answer the driving question, "What happens to chromosomes when a cell divides to make a copy of itself?" 

 

Chromosome models are developed and evaluated again in Part 2 to answer the meiosis driving question, "How is the chromosome number reduced in sperm and egg cells so when they combine their chromosomes, the new organism has the correct number?"

 

Learning Objectives

• Make sense of what happens to chromosomes during mitosis and why it is important in the growth and development of organisms.
• Create, present, and evaluate models of mitosis and meiosis.
• Make sense of what happens to chromosomes during meiosis and why it is important to sexual reproduction and variation of traits.
• Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis.

 

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills

• Students should be familiar with the size, scale, and function of the cell, nucleus, and chromosomes.
• They should be familiar with the relationship between DNA, genes, alleles, chromosomes, and with the basic understanding of asexual and sexual reproduction and how they benefit organisms.

 

Kit includes:

• 1 Mitosis Event Cards Set
• 1 Meiosis I and II Event Cards Sets
• 140 Red Beads
• 140 Yellow Beads
• 8 Magnetic Centromeres
• 8 Red Plastic Centriole Beads/Tubes
• 1 Roll of Masking Tape
• 1 Roll of String
• 1 Roll of Clear Adhesive Tape
• 1 Carolina Science Online® Resources (1-year subscription) (please contact SB for access code after receipt)
• 1 Teacher's Manual with Reproducible Student Guide

 

 Needed but not included:

• Cups for beads
• Scissors

Replacement magnetic centromeres (LAK2.22) are available