Cancer Discovery Activities
Author(s): HHMI BioInteractive
1914 total view(s), 334 download(s)
Description
Spanish versions of these resources are also available for download (en Español).
Students begin by watching the online video clip and completing a worksheet. After that assignment, instructors can decide which of the two activities (or both!) to use in class. In Activity 1, students identify the locations on chromosomes of genes involved in cancer, using a set of 139 “Cancer Gene Cards” and associated posters. In Activity 2, students explore the genetic basis of cancer by examining cards that list genetic mutations found in the DNA of actual cancer patients. Small-group work spurs discussion about the genes that are mutated in different types of cancers and the cellular processes that the affected genes control.
The Activity 1 and 2 Overview document provides short summaries of the two activities along with key concepts and learning objectives, background information, references and rubrics, and answers to students’ questions. Both cancer discovery activities are appropriate for first-year high school biology (honors or regular), AP and IB Biology. Activity 2 is also appropriate for an undergraduate freshman biology class.
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
- HHMI BioInteractive (2018). Cancer Discovery Activities. HHMI BioInteractive, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/Q46X1W