Scientists from Japan and the US have discovered why ginger cats have their special color. They found out that ginger cats have a missing piece of DNA in a gene called ARHGAP36. This makes the cells that give color to skin, fur, and eyes work more. Cat lovers helped fund this study, hoping to learn more about any health issues ginger cats might have.
Most ginger cats are male because of where the gene is on the X chromosome. Male cats have one X and one Y chromosome, so they only need one copy of the gene to be ginger. Female cats have two X chromosomes and need the gene to be missing in both to be ginger. This is why female cats often have mixed colors like calico or tortoiseshell.
Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki, who loves cats, led this research after he retired. Cat fans from all over the world helped pay for the study. The gene they studied does more than just color fur; it might also affect cat health and behavior. Scientists are curious if a cat's color is linked to its personality, but they haven't proven it yet.
Original news source: Decades-long mystery of ginger cats revealed (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the students into small groups. Each student will take turns acting out a word or phrase related to cats (e.g., "ginger cat," "playful," "sleeping cat") without speaking. The other group members will guess what it is.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Ask students to walk around the classroom and ask their classmates questions like "Do you like cats?" or "What color cat do you prefer?" They will write down their classmates' answers and share the results with the class.
– SKETCH IT
Instructions: Provide students with a piece of paper and colored pencils. Ask them to draw a ginger cat and label different parts (e.g., fur, eyes) in English. Afterward, they can share their drawings with the class, describing their cat using simple sentences.
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In pairs, students will create a catchy headline for the article about ginger cats. They should use key concepts like "ginger," "DNA," "cats," and "health." After creating their headlines, they will share them with the class.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: On the board, write "Ginger Cats" in the center. In small groups, students will brainstorm related words and ideas (like "color," "DNA," "behavior") and add them to the mind map. Each group will present their ideas to the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Scientists found out that ginger cats have a missing piece of DNA in a gene that makes their fur color special.
The name of the gene is ARHGAP36.
Most ginger cats are male because they only need one copy of the gene to be ginger, and males have one X and one Y chromosome.
Female cats have two X chromosomes.
Female cats often have mixed colors like calico or tortoiseshell.
Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki led the research after he retired.
Scientists are curious if a cat's color is linked to its personality, but they haven't proven it yet.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Scientists from and the US discovered why ginger cats have their special . They found out that ginger cats have a missing piece of DNA in a gene called ARHGAP36. This makes the cells that give color to skin, fur, and eyes work more. Cat lovers helped this study, to learn more about any health issues ginger cats might have. Most ginger cats are male because of where the gene is on the X chromosome. cats have one X and one Y chromosome, so they only need one copy of the gene to be ginger. Female cats have two X and the to be missing in both to be ginger. This is why female cats often have mixed colors like calico or tortoiseshell. Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki, who loves cats, led this research after he retired. Cat fans from all over the helped pay for the study. The gene they does more than just color fur; it might also affect cat health and behavior. Scientists are curious if a cat's color is to its personality, but they haven't proven it yet.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is your favorite color of cat?
2. Do you think cats have different personalities because of their color? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if you had a ginger cat?
4. Do you like to learn about animals? Why or why not?
5. What is a special thing you know about cats?
6. Do you think it is important to study animals like cats? Why?
7. Have you ever seen a ginger cat? What did it look like?
8. How would you feel if you found out a pet you had was very special?
9. Do you think male and female cats act differently? Why or why not?
10. What do you think is the best thing about having a cat?
11. Do you like to help animals? How do you help them?
12. What is a fun fact you know about cats that you can share?
Individual Activities
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π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
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