Syllabus for a unit on human heredity for secondary biology

Abstract

Scope of Study: The purpose of this study is three fold: (1) to provide a general knowledge of a few selected human hereditary characteristics that may be easily communicated to high school students; (2) present a general guide which may serve as resource material for teachers, and (3) an attempt to provide illustrations, demonstrations, and sufficient reference for the teacher to proceed to further studies. Throughout the study hereditary characteristics in man have been used to illustrate basic principles of heredity. Many class room demonstrations, their use and effect, have been considered.

Findings and Conclusions: A thorough understanding of heredity must be left to the expert, however the result of this study revealed many facts, demonstrations, and experiments which can be used by the teacher in teaching biology. Plaster of Paris models, charts, and polyethylene beads can be used to illustrate many principles and phenomenon which occur in heredity.

Recognizing the tact that human heredity is one of the most interesting phases of the study or heredity to most students, the teacher can do much to interest the student by using the inheritance of human characteristics to illustrate many genetic principles, With a few general principles and some facts, the high school teacher can do much toward enlightening the future generation in regards to its own welfare with respect to heredity.