Curated OER
The Watson-Crick Model of DNA Structure
Junior geneticists construct models of DNA to discover sequencing and pairing of nucleotides. They use the models to simulate protein synthesis and then translate the codes into physical traits. Finally, they use the traits to create a...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
A Gene Is a Discrete Sequence of DNA Nucleotides
Frederick Sanger won two Nobel prizes for protein sequencing and DNA sequencing. Young scientists learn about Dr. Sanger's research and amazing discoveries. They read an article and a biography, view videos and animations, and apply...
Exploratorium
Secret Codon - Write a Message in DNA
String up a message. Pupils string together colored beads to code a word or short phrase. Each color represents one of the four DNA bases. Using a combination of three bases, learners create an amino acid that stand for each letter of...
Curated OER
Genes, DNA, and Mutations
With paper DNA patterns, budding biologists model translation and base-pair substitution within sequences. Through these activities, they examine how mutations can result in genetic disorders. The modeling that occurs is an enlightening...
Serendip
DNA Structure, Function and Replication
Before a cell replicates, its DNA must replicate. Take advantage of a hands-on guided lesson to teach budding scientists how this happens. Using a set of nucleotide cards, learners become the DNA and work to create matching strands...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Viral DNA Integration
How do reverse transcriptase inhibitors work? Young virologists examine the function of azidothymidine, a drug doctors use to treat HIV patients, during a hands-on modeling activity. Groups create a strand of DNA from an HIV RNA strand...
Curated OER
Sequencing the Cystic Fibrosis Gene: A Simulation
Ninth graders determine nucleotide sequences. They identify those base sequences that are normal, those that are normal variants and those that cause cystic fibrosis. Students use DNA nucleotide sequences to determine amino acid...
Curated OER
AP: Chapter 20: DNA Technology
This nine-page biotechnology resource contains six pages of questions regarding DNA technology. Questions cover cloning, restriction enzymes, the polymerase chain reaction, different techniques, the human genome project, and more. The...
Teach Engineering
Inside the DNA
Get your class to take a closer look at DNA. Pupils conduct research to determine the methods used by scientists to analyze the molecular structure of DNA. The class members investigate different types of molecular imaging along with gel...
Curated OER
DNA Sequencing Simulation
Young scholars simulate the Sanger method of DNA sequencing using color pop-beads as a representation of nucleotides and dideoxynucleotides. Students assemble DNA sequences and run their sequences through a "sequencing gel" and sketch...
Curated OER
DNA Dry Lab
Students use a DNA strand to identify the component parts. They discuss an RNA molecule, protein fragments, and nucleotides. They explore how the order of nucleotides determines the order of amino acids in proteins.
Curated OER
Using Amino Acid Sequences to Show Evolutionary Relationships
Junior biologists compare the amino acid sequences from fragments of five different globin molecules. They count the letter differences between each species pair. They construct a graphic representation of the evolutionary relationships...
Curated OER
More Basic Biotechnology Tools, Sorting & Copying DNA
You can use these slides to explain the many complicated steps of the Polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic and forensic uses of gel electrophoresis are detailed. This PowerPoint could be used to communicate facts, and also to prompt...
Curated OER
Discovering DNA Structure
High schoolers work on this paper lab in cooperative groups of four and manipulate nucleotides to discover the structure of DNA. When they have finished the lab, students have created model of DNA that can be hung on the ceiling. High...
Curated OER
The Coding of Protein Molecules by DNA
Students investigate the production of proteins by the DNA. In this protein synthesis lesson plan, students use paper models to explore transcription and translation to make proteins using DNA. Students answer 10 questions to demonstrate...
Curated OER
Discovering DNA Structure
Students work in cooperative groups of four and manipulate paper nucleotides to discover the structure of DNA. They model DNA and sing the DNA song to review concepts. Lyrics to song included in lesson plan.
Curated OER
Replication of DNA
In this DNA worksheet, students read about the DNA replication process, step by step. Then students complete 1 multiple choice and 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
DNA Sequencing Simulation
Students explore the Sanger sequencing method which produces a nested set of radioactive fragments from a template strand. They simulate the Sanger method of sequencing DNA, both visually and kinesthetically.
Curated OER
Constructing a Phylogenetic Tree Using DNA Sequence Data
Students analyze DNA sequence differences between organisms in order to establish a reasonable picture of the evolutionary relationships between them. They take the role of molecular biologists and make genetic changes and constructing...
Curated OER
Sequencing the Cystic Fibrosis Gene: A Simulation
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...
Curated OER
DNA Code
Students synthesize information gathered from the web on reading the DNA code. In this upper-level biology lesson, students use an online resource to gain information about DNA codes and then create posters on what they have learned....
Curated OER
COMPARISON OF FOUR-, SIX-, AND EIGHT-bp CUTS IN CALF THYMUS DNA
Students use this laboratory exercise, restriction enzymes to recognize a four-, six-, and eight-nucleotide sequence. Assuming that the four component nucleotides (A, C, T, G) are distributed randomly within a DNA molecule, then any...
Curated OER
Using Amino Acid Sequences to Show Evolutionary Relationships
Compare protein fragments, count amino acids, and use the information to explore common ancestry. The resource mentions a student worksheet, however, a separate printable worksheet is not provided. The exercises are written into the...
Curated OER
Nucleic Acids: information storage
This sequence of slides covers each main macromolecule that is involved with human structure and function. The history of nucleotide research and the way that they are formed is summarized, a diagram accompanies the explanation. The main...