Biology Educational Materials

Introduce Students to PCR Technique with a Basic Procedure

Use PCR to determine if your chickens are male (ZZ) or female (ZW).

Use PCR to determine if your parrots are male (ZZ) or female (ZW).

Use PCR to genotype your own chickens for the lavender allele that causes pale greyish plumage.

Use PCR to genotype your own chickens for the presence of the oocyan allele that causes blue eggs.

Use PCR to genotype your own chickens for the recessive white allele that causes white plumage.

Use PCR to accurately determine the sex of geese, ducks, quail, and other fowl.

Use PCR to determine if your emus are male (ZZ) or female (ZW).

Use PCR to genotype your own chickens for the frizzle allele that causes curly feathers.

Learn and practice CRISPR and PCR.

Teach Real-World Uses for PCR Technique

Your students are medical professionals trying to save a patient's life by identifying a food-borne illness-causing microbe.

Your students are forensics professionals analyzing DNA collected at a crime scene.

Your students are asked to help a person determine which of three candidates is his long-lost relative.

Your students are asked to identify the unknown predator that is killing calves on a nearby ranch.

Your students are asked to help a farmer identify a plant that will cross-breed with his existing crops.