Genetics in fiction

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/genetics-in-fiction

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is genetics in fiction?It’s stories where characters get amazing new powers or turn into cool creatures because of science. Writers use ideas like inheritance, mutation, and hybridization to make exciting adventures.
2. Why do stories use genetics to create superpowers?Early scientists discovered how traits can change, and writers used those ideas to make characters with extraordinary abilities. It lets readers imagine what could happen if biology worked in surprising ways.

Molecular Biology: The branch of biology studying the structure and function of molecules essential to life, like DNA.
DNA Sequencing: The process of determining the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule.
Gattaca: A notable science fiction film that attempted a more realistic portrayal of genetic engineering and its societal effects.