8th Grade Genetics Links:
Meiosis & Mitosis:
PBS Learning: How Cells Divide
This interactive feature from NOVA, and provides a step-by-step, side-by-side comparison of meiosis and mitosis.
Cells Alive!: Animal Meiosis
A quick overview of the process. Start and stop and animation anywhere in the clip.
Mc Graw Hill: Comparison of Meiosis and Mitosis
Turn sound off and read text. A brief quiz follows to test your knowledge after watching the clip.
John Kyrk Animations
Animation of meiosis. Use the drop down in the top left corner to locate the mitosis animation.
A very good video clip comparing mitosis and meiosis in diagram format.
Mitosis: The Amazing Cell...
Animated video by the Amoeba Sisters.
Meiosis: The Great Cell Divide
Animated video by the Amoeba Sisters.
Instructor led video with demonstrations and a chart comparing mitosis and meiosis, highlighting the main differences and similarities between each process, along with the importance of each.
Review questions for Meiosis and Mitosis. A number of the questions are more advanced than we will study, but many questions are also quite relative for 8th grade.
Quizlet: Meiosis & Mitosis
More Genetic Links
Virtual lab of mitosis in an onion root tip
This is a Quia game on cell reproduction, including mitosis and
What is DNA?
Video clip explaining DNA.
Gregor Mendel and Genetic Probability
Video clip explaining Mendel's contribution to genetics.
Mendel, Punnett Squares and Pedigrees
Practicing Punnett Squares with Bunnies
Interactive demonstration of genetics and bunnies. Turn your sound OFF.
Video Clip: What are Pedigree Charts?
Brief discussion explaining pedigree charts and how they can be used. Turn your sound down.
Video Clip: What are Genes
Video Clip: Where do Genes Come From?
Many genetic links at NeoK12
Famous Scientists : Gregor Mendel
Who was Gregor Mendel and what were his contributions to science?
The Genetic Science Learning Center at The University of Utah is a nationally and internationally-recognized education program that translates science and health for non-experts. In addition to genetics, we address all areas of life science and health as well as other scientific fields.
The GSLC's websites are one of the most used science sites on the Internet. In 2013, they received almost 20 million visits, which came from virtually every country in the world
DNA is extracted from human cells for a variety of reasons. With a pure sample of DNA you can test a newborn for a genetic disease, analyze forensic evidence, or study a gene involved in cancer. Try this virtual laboratory to perform a cheek swab and extract DNA from human cells.
Video Clip: What is a Phenotype?
Discussion of genetics and environment's affect on an organism's phenotype. Turn your sound down.
World Health Organization
Information on genetics, behavior, disease and environmental factors
National Institute for Environmental Health
A discussion of genetics, environment and disease outcome with humans
Discussion of genetics, environment and behavioral characteristics in animals
Methods of Breeding in Bulldogs
Discussion of different methods of breeding in dogs, including pros and cons of each.
Dog Breed Characteristics
Behavior characteristics in dogs and the breeds that display them.
Genetic Disease Testing
On the left side of the website there is a list of different genetic disorders that dogs have. Click the link for more information on the disorder.
Canine Genomics & Disease Publications
National Human Genome Research: Canine Traits
Outcrossing, Linebreeding, Inbreeding in dogs
A discussion of different methods of breeding in dogs and why some practices are better than others.
Probability & Genetics
Video: How Mendel's Pea Plants Helped Us Understand Genetics
Understand punnett squares by watching this video. Hit pause to take notes on simple punnett squares. Complex punnett squares will not be covered in 8th grade science.
How Traits are Passed from Parents to Offspring
A virtual lab which creates an imaginary animal based on punnett square probabilities.