Anthropology

Cell Biology & Genetics

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Consider the concept of common descent. 

What are cells? What is DNA? How is all life related? What evidence from our reading shows us that all life is related?

Play some games to find out how all life is related: mitochondrial inheritance and Y-chromosome inheritance.

Now, go further and apply the themes you learned from the games to real life: What is mitochondrial and Y-chromosome inheritance? How do scientists use these concepts to explain common descent?

Let's take this home: Why do scientists use animal models to understand common descent and human evolution? If you were a scientist, what could you make with these tools and models? Think creatively and use examples to illustrate your ideas.