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4:00 video 93% of Americans agree that sex education should be taught in schools, but what's the best approach to get teens to practice safe sex? Read More: Sex Education Delays Teens' Sexual Activity http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03... "Teens who receive formal sex education wait longer to have sex, a new study finds - and when they do get around to doing the deed, they're more likely than teens who haven't had sex ed to use contraception." Sex Education in the U.S. is Screwing Our Kids http://www.salon.com/2014/12/01/why_s... "Government-funded abstinence programs and a lack of instructor training are failing the country's teens." Teaching Good Sex http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/mag... "Across the country, the approach ranges from abstinence until marriage is the only acceptable choice, contraceptives don't work and premarital sex is physically and emotionally harmful, to abstinence is usually best, but if you must have sex, here are some ways to protect yourself from pregnancy and disease."

Meiosis, the form of cell division unique to egg and sperm production, sets the stage for sex determination by creating sperm that carry either an X or a Y sex chromosome. But what is it about the X or Y that determines sex? Before a meiotic cell divides, its two sets of chromosomes come together and cross over, or swap, segments. The first animation shows normal crossing over, where the X and Y chromosomes exchange pieces only at their tips. The second animation shows a rare mistake in which the Y chromosome transfers a gene called SRY to the X chromosome, resulting in sex-reversed babies. Studies of sex-reversed individuals led researchers to identify the master switch for sex determination, the SRY gene, which tells a fetus to become a boy.

Meiosis, the form of cell division unique to egg and sperm production, sets the stage for sex determination by creating sperm that carry either an X or a Y sex chromosome. But what is it about the X or Y that determines sex? Before a meiotic cell divides, its two sets of chromosomes come together and cross over, or swap, segments. The first animation shows normal crossing over, where the X and Y chromosomes exchange pieces only at their tips. The second animation shows a rare mistake in which the Y chromosome transfers a gene called SRY to the X chromosome, resulting in sex-reversed babies. Studies of sex-reversed individuals led researchers to identify the master switch for sex determination, the SRY gene, which tells a fetus to become a boy.

Interactive exploration that challenges you to determine whether an athlete is qualified to compete as a female. Along the way you may gain some understanding of the biology of sex and in particular how sex is determined in humans. nteractive exploration that challenges you to determine whether an athlete is qualified to compete as a female. Along the way you may gain some understanding of the biology of sex and in particular how sex is determined in humans.

In this "clicker case," students learn about sex determination, meiosis, and chromosomal "crossing over" through the story of Santhi Soundararajan, an athlete from Kathakkurichi, India, who was stripped of a medal at the 2006 Asian Games after failing to pass a sex test. The case is called a clicker case because it combines the use of student personal response systems (clickers) with case teaching methods and formats. The case itself is a PowerPoint presentation (~2 MB) shown in class that is punctuated by questions students respond to using their clickers. It can be adapted for use without these technologies. Developed for an introductory biology class for both majors and non-majors, the case could also be used in an anatomy and physiology course or an endocrinology course.

In this "clicker case," students learn about sex determination, meiosis, and chromosomal "crossing over" through the story of Santhi Soundararajan, an athlete from Kathakkurichi, India, who was stripped of a medal at the 2006 Asian Games after failing to pass a sex test. The case is called a clicker case because it combines the use of student personal response systems (clickers) with case teaching methods and formats. The case itself is a PowerPoint presentation (~2 MB) shown in class that is punctuated by questions students respond to using their clickers. It can be adapted for use without these technologies. Developed for an introductory biology class for both majors and non-majors, the case could also be used in an anatomy and physiology course or an endocrinology course.

Four talks focus on sex determination-the molecular and genetic mechanisms that determine whether an organism will be male, female or a hermaphrodite.

Four talks focus on sex determination-the molecular and genetic mechanisms that determine whether an organism will be male, female or a hermaphrodite. Meisosis animation 49:00-53:00 53:21 SRY animation Y to X crossing over 53:30 SRY transfer 54:45

This case study introduces students to the true story of Caster Semenya, an outstanding female mid-distance runner from South Africa.  Caster won the 800 m race at the 2009 Track and Field World Championships when she was just 18. Since then, she has faced scrutiny about her sex and gender. Due to her high levels of endogenous testosterone, she was banned from running for almost a year by the track and field governing body, the IAAF. In this case study, students use information from news reports and Caster's appearance to determine the possible biological underpinnings likely responsible for her anatomy and physiology.  Students are also asked to consider if using circulating testosterone levels to determine if a female can race is a valid method of exclusion. This case asks students to think about how sex and gender are related, and pushes them to discuss societal implications of labeling both of these constructs as binary when in fact they are much better described as spectra.

In this clicker case study for a flipped classroom, students familiar with the stages of meiosis work in small groups to determine the predicted genetic makeup of the parthenogenetic offspring of a Komodo dragon, based on four different types of parthenogenesis. Students then learn about the actual genetic makeup of the offspring and determine how meiosis was modified to allow parthenogenesis in this fascinating lizard. The sex of the offspring is explained, based on ZW/ZZ sex determination. A video specifically made for this case prepares students for the in-class activities, which are guided by a PowerPoint presentation. The case also examines how facultative parthogenesis may be adaptive in Komodo dragons and the implications of facultative parthogenesis to conservation of these vulnerable lizards. The case was developed for a general biology class, but could also be used in an introductory course on conservation or cell biology.

From something as small and complex as a chromosome to something as seemingly simple as the weather, sex determination systems vary significantly across the animal kingdom. Biologist and teacher Aaron Reedy shows us the amazing differences between species when it comes to determination of gender.

5:46 video, short quiz, open response

Hybrid animals are infertile because of the way their sex cells form. But sometimes, life finds a way.

People who are attracted to others of the same sex develop their orientation before they are born. This is not a choice. And scientific evidence shows their parents cannot be blamed. Research proving that there is biological evidence for sexual orientation has been available since the 1980s. The links have been emphasised by new scientific research.

Explore inheritance when carried on the X chromosome with the Amoeba Sisters!

FEBRUARY 20, 2015-A diverse group of experts from academia, industry and advocacy convened by a Georgetown researcher is offering recommendations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding how to address the overreliance of male cells and animals used in preclinical studies. The recommendations come as the federal research institution works to increase the inclusion of female animal models and achieve a balance in the use of male and female cells and animals in lab research.

The team, led by senior authors Qi Zhou and Xiao-Yang Zhao, both from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, took embryonic stem cells from mice and treated them to a series of carefully worked out steps that included first exposing the stem cells to testicular cells in newly born male mice. The scientists then recreated the chemical environment that sperm cells need to grow, including early development factors and sex hormones including testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and a growth factor from the pituitary gland.

Animated primer of 75 key historical experiments in modern genetics

Comprehensive tutorial site.

Online textbook with accompanying case studies, lesson plans, and interactives.

Some people in the world aren't able to see many colors. The condition is called color blindness, but what exactly causes it?

The resource covers basic logic and faulty arguments, developing student's critical thinking skills. Suitable for year 8-10, focused on science issues, the module can be adapted to suit classroom plans.

Lesson materials