High school learners read and discuss an article about genetic ancestry and genetic ancestry testing. They complete a paper and pencil activity that mimics the function of a DNA microarray and consider the ethics of genetic testing in...

Students investigate how mutations lead to changes in cell structure and function. They construct an oligonucleotide, identify a protein sequence, design a step-by-step mechanism of how they think cells repair damaged DNA, and prepare...

Students create a model of DNA and simulate replication with their models in an activity that uses licorice, colored marshmallows, and toothpicks. Students also label a diagram of replication and indicate major parts of the DNA molecule.

How effective are cells at repairing UV damage? An inquiry-based activity has learners experiment with organism by exposing them to various levels of UV light and then examining their DNA after a period of time. Pupils test different...

Biotech engineers discover that changes in the DNA code for cell wall formation can help create crops better suited for biofuel production. They extract DNA from wheat germ. They decode paper strips with codes and relate the activity to...

Research how DNA, the genetic blueprint of living organisms, plays an essential role in the continuity of life. High schoolers will summarize how their influence may very well effect the destiny of the population from one generation to...

Students study how cancer cells mutate and affect cell division.  In this investigative lesson plan students view a PowerPoint presentation learn the seven warning signs of cancer. 

Students explore three lab experiments involving DNA, mitosis, and mutation. They complete activities and play games to review DNA, mitosis and mutation concepts. They build a DNA molecule and create flip cards representing mitosis in...

Students perform an experiment involving reverse transcriptase-polymerized chain reaction HIV replication to better examine the biotechnology used by scientists in pharmaceutical research of infections diseases like HIV. Students examine...

High schoolers explore genetic variation within a population. In this genetic adaptation lesson plan, students investigate the reasons contributing to genetic adaptation. High schoolers collaborate and analyze DNA models. Multiple...

Young scholars examine DNA replication and how proteins are synthesized from DNA codes and continue to explore the effects of genetics in additional lessons. Among the topics covered are: protein synthesis, cell chemistry, environmental...

Learners examine the structure and functions of DNA. They discover the effects radon has on one's DNA and how it leads to cancer. They discuss why DNA is so important to us.

Mutations are not just deformed creatures we see in movies—they happen every day! Scholars study the different types of genetic mutations in the 12th installment of a series of 18 lessons. A creative activity uses candy and other food...

Young scholars spend the lesson reviewing for their Genetics exam. In groups, they compare and contrast the structures of DNA and RNA and discuss how DNA can cause mutations. To end the lesson, they share their knowledge on the...

High schoolers are given the opportunity to analyze DNA sequence differences between organisms in order to establish a reasonable picture of the evolutionary relationships between them (Phylogenetic Tree). In the simulation form they...

Students explore the history, inheritance and mutations of genetics.  In this genetic lesson students complete experiments on DNA sequences.

Students investigate DNA strands. They study the sequence to determine if it is DNA or RNA and write the mRNA nucleotide sequence. After stringing the beads together to create the mRNA sequence they translate it into an amino acid...

Pupils explain the roles of mRNA, tRNA and ribosomes. They explain how mutations can occur in an individual. Students simulate parts of a cell to access about the process of protein synthesis.

Learners explore genetics. They discuss how chromosomes and/or genes are regulated during the life of an organism. In a lab setting, students compare and contrast the genomic regulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using...

Students identify and illustrate how changes in DNA cause mutations and evaluate the significance of these changes. They illustrate a chromosomal mutation such as duplication, deletion, inversion, and translocation.

Ninth graders use this activity to simulate the sequencing of gene and to detect the presence of possible genetic defects. They use diagrams that represent bands of nucleotides in order to determine the sequence of a small piece of the...

Students study using analogies between common items or occurrences and science concepts. They use the analogy of cookie recipes to that of the DNA "recipes" for living things to help us explain more about mutations.

Pupils accurately measure the relationship between radiation dose and either survival or some genetic event such as mutation or recombination. They investigate the damage that was done to the DNA molecule as a result of exposure to...

Young scholars are introduced to genetics along with genetic diseases and heredity. In groups, they complete a Punnett Square to determine the dominant and recessive genes. After viewing diagrams, they identify the characteristics of...