A single strand of dna consists of many individual building blocks called nucleotides that are connected, in a long string, by chemical bonds. Guide a discussion in which the focus is on determining what students know about the history of dna and the structure of dna, as well as its overall significance to life. Draw the basic structure of a nucleotide with its three parts. The purpose of this activity is to help students recognize and identify the components and structure of dna deoxyribonucleic acid. Write your name in dna activity description the children will create a colorful chain made out of the four dna nucleotides, while learning about dna and how all the information about each and every one of us in encoded into this simple language. All dna pieces are included, complete with teacher tips and an answer key. Unzip this dna, then choose the correct enzymes to replicate the strand. Tes global ltd is registered in england company no 02017289 with its registered office. Dna structure inquiry modeling activity by sunrise science. Karen mayes page 1 of 3 dna paper model activity level.
Dna doctor printable 7th grade science worksheet dna. Students will be able to identify the structure and functions of dna, and explain the role of dna in storing and transmitting cellular information. In activity 2 dna exploration, students examine single nucleotide. The structure is a double helix, which is like a twisted ladder. In 1953, james watson and francis crick established the structure of dna.
Model, theory and evidence in the discovery of the dna structure. Found in the nucleus of a cell made of dna both a and b none of the above 3. Ninth grade lesson dna, part 1structure and function. It also explains current ideas on the biological significance of classic and alternative dna conformations. Predict the appearance of a complimentary strand of dna when given half of a double.
In this dna structure lesson, students discuss the different parts of the code that makes up our dna and instructs our cells. Students will describe the function of models in science and how they are helpful to the study of. Dna structure their analysis concentrates on the physical nature and the representive function of the model crick and watson constructed of the dna structure2. There are also three scaffolded versions of the dna cornell doodle notes so you can tailor this lesson to. Students reinforce their knowledge that dna is the genetic material for all living things by modeling it using toothpicks and gumdrops that represent the four biochemicals adenine, thiamine, guanine, and cytosine that pair with each other in a specific pattern, making a double helix. They should also be familiar with the structure of dna and. Through this fun activity you can learn more about the spread of microbes and their potential to infect people. The inquiry nature of the activity further differentiates. Helix or double helix the structure that native dna takes in a chromosome when two. Dna is made of two duplex dna dextrogyre like a screw. In this lesson, students explore the structure of the dna molecule and begin to. Students construct a model of dna to learn dna structure and decode it to better explain protein synthesis.
Consistent with biochemical nomenclature, the ase at the end of this name. They will use an encoder to translate from the english alphabet into codons to write their. Structure and evolution of the universe model a black hole standard a. This activity brings to life the double helix structure of dna by. Sometimes mutations occur, changing the dna sequence. Atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus a double helix nucleotide bases and sugarphosphate molecules all of the above 2.
Use the buttons in the dna tutorial to investigate. Step into the shoes of a genetic scientist and carry out a phenotype. Use this science activity to learn about how dna replicates. Hold the folded paper like an open book, and fold the top flap of paper back to the. Below is a list of notes and worksheets we have used in class. Dna is a special molecule in your body that contains all the information about your body the color of your hair and eyes for examples.
The enzyme dna polymerase that contributes toward placing new nucleotides on the unzipped dna can only add nucleotides on a strand that runs in the 3 to 5 direction, unfortunately though only one of the two strands of dna run in this direction i mentioned before that the 2 stands were antiparallel aka running in. This is typically the first labactivity in my unit on modern genetics, and it is an excellent way for students to practice base pairing rules. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The instructions for creating all the cells in our bodies are found in our dna. This was specifically made for the texas staar biology eoc, but can be edited to any biology eoc. The study of genetics and dna are enhanced with the study kits, models and other reference aids that flinn scientific has carefully developed and chosen to enhance your students learning and engagement in the classroom. Dna, relatedness, genetics learning objectives all livings things have dna. Molecular biology dna revised, december, 2016 in this activity, students extract dna from archaea or from their cheek cells. We now know that dna is also found in organelles, the mitochondria and chloroplasts, though it is the dna in the nucleus that actually controls the cells workings. Their main function is to maintain and transmit the genetic code. Each interactive notebook activity pack includes directions for and photographs or examples of each activity, teacher notes and answer keys. The activity links with the 1416 curriculum but can also. I introduce this crime scene situation on the first day of studying dna then do a series of.
The structure and function of enzymes is a central theme in cellular and molecular biology. Ask students to express what they know about dna see questions in anticipatory set above and improvise based on student responses. With the discovery by watson and crick of the most important of dna structures, the famous double helix, or, as it is called by experts, the dna b form, a new era in the history of human civilization started, the era of molecular biology. Because of this, the knowledge of all features of the dna structure is of a paramount significance. Handson activities for teaching biology to high school or. Unlike a book or computer screen, dna isnt flat and boring it is a beautiful curved. Please use this page to print extra copies of worksheets andor notes you have misplaced or missed due to absence. It is written in a special alphabet that is only four letters long. Lesson plan dna structure dolan dna learning center. Question set a for ages 14 and older what is a strand of dna. If you find the questions too hard, you may find it useful to visit andrew carters introductory story about dna structure.
Cooperation and competition during the early 1950s, the intellectual journeys of a bird biologist, an expert on the structure of coal, a designer of underwater mines, and a nuclear physicist intersected, resultingnot in a submarine explosion of feathers, as one might expectbut in a discovery that. Biology aqa new a level work booklet structure of dna. For the activities in this booklet all standards are for grades 912 nses nctm. This website and its content is subject to our terms and conditions. Dna and protein synthesis life is a three letter word. More mindson activities for teaching about cell division and genetics are available at cell division and genetics. Mar 24, 2020 dna is a record of instructions telling the cell what its job is going to be.
Students watch a video tutorial on dna structure and then answer questions posed in video format. Nucleic acids have a primary, secondary, and tertiary structure analogous to the classification of protein structure. The sequence of bases in the nucleic acid chain gives the primary structure of dna or rna. Student teams trade dna strands and decode the genetic sequences to determine the physical characteristics. Whether at home, with friends or in the classroom, our wide range of activities provide you with a more fun and handson look at dna and genetics. Much like a spiral staircase, it has two single strands that join and twist together. In this lesson, students will explore the structure and function of dna. The puzzle of dna structure and replication introduction the function of dna is based entirely on its structure. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of dna determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential. Dna structure inquiry modeling activity with images dna. This is an inquiry lesson on how the structure of dna was discovered in a joint. Importance of dnarna 3d structure nucleic acids are essential materials found in all living organisms. In this course, students focus on the chemistry of living things. This is typically the first lab activity in my unit on modern genetics, and it is an excellent way for students to practice base pairing rules.
Students will be imagining that they are the scientists who experimented with and ultimately came to conclusions about the structure of dna using empirical evidence. Cooperation and competition during the early 1950s, the intellectual journeys of a bird biologist, an expert on the structure of coal, a designer of underwater mines, and a nuclear physicist intersected, resultingnot in a submarine explosion of feathers. Dna contains a coded message that must be replicated. Student handouts these worksheets are included at the end of each lesson description. The codon it belongs to may actually code for the same amino acid see the chart above to see how this could happen. This activity is aimed at students with a basic knowledge of dna structure, mendelian genetics, and human pedigree analysis. Argumentdriven inquiry in biology is a onestop source of expertise, advice, and investigations. All of these features were described by watson and crick.
Adenine is always opposite thymine, and cytosine is always oppostie guanine. This lesson should be followed up by a discussion of rna, replication, and protein synthesis. Dna controls cellular activities, including reproduction. These bind together in complementary pairs a with t, c with g. Importance of dna rna 3d structure nucleic acids are essential materials found in all living organisms. Dna structure and replication 5e lesson by sunrise science tpt. An information and activity booklet grades 912 19971998. Students will be imagining that they are the scientists who experimented with and ultimately came to conclusions about the structure of dna using. I, however, regard the physical nature of the model peripheral and rather untelling in philosophical terms3. Just as strands of dna are the building blocks of life, use this lesson plan to build up your instruction on its basic history and molecular structure. Identify which bases are found in pairs in the dna doublehelix. This free classroom resource includes a teachers manual, student handouts. Ninth grade lesson dna, part 1structure and function betterlesson. Write the complementary sequence to following dna strand.
This dna fingerprinting simulated crime scene activity is a great way to begin your unit on the structure, function and processes of dna in order to elicit student interest in learning about the dna molecule. This is one of a series of inquirybased lessons from the national human genome research. Watson and crick were bubbling at the fact that they had another chance to find out the structure of dna photograph of the double helix was shown to watson by wilkins. A substitution mutation replaces one nitrogen base with another. The shape of dna is a double helix, which is like a twisted ladder. Structure of dna the double helix looks like a ladder that has been twisted at both ends. Nov 23, 2016 this dna fingerprinting simulated crime scene activity is a great way to begin your unit on the structure, function and processes of dna in order to elicit student interest in learning about the dna molecule. Apr 15, 2016 notes and worksheets below is a list of notes and worksheets we have used in class. Mutations can have little effect, or have a catastrophic effect depending on what kind they are.
The book provides a simple yet comprehensive introduction to nearly all aspects of dna structure. This is an inquiry lesson on how the structure of dna was discovered in a joint effort of many scientists over many decades from 1869 to 1953. Sketch the shape of a graph of enzyme activity against temperature. Alternatively, you may wish to create your own activities, based on some suggestions for openended inquiry that are offered below. The steps of the staircase are made up of the four bases of dna adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine. Leila greene focus on inquiry the students will be able to describe and model the basic process of dna replication and how it relates to the transmission and conservation of the genetic information. Use your dna structure notes and chapter 17 to answer. Dna replication and 3d model activity comprehension and analysis questions. Students must also recognize the difference between purines and pyrimidines. For lower ability levels additional supplemental activities for the history and structure of dna. Dna is a record of instructions telling the cell what its job is going to be. Play around with the dna molecule to try to figure out the answer to a question. This lesson should be done after a lesson on the structure and function of cells. In this laboratory exercise, a crude cell extract is prepared from potatoes.
Something old, something new an overview of the process. Produced by the wellcome trust sanger institute, in this activity students make their own edible dna double helix model out of jelly babies and cocktail sticks. Students explore physical science by participating in a science roleplay activity. Dna structure inquiry modeling activity by sunrise science tpt. This activity goes perfectly with an introductory lesson on the structure of the dna double helix. This handson activity will enable you to extract dna from fruit, such as strawberries, using everyday household items.
Introduction we know that genes are made of dna because scientists were able to demonstrate that dna and proteins are found in the nucleus of cells, and, more importantly, that dna and not protein is able to transform the traits of organisms. This information is stored in the form of long polymer chains. Although the information they carry is onedimensional, it is essential to understand the 3d structure of nucleic. Model, theory and evidence in the discovery of the dna. Dna structure and function, a timely and comprehensive resource, is intended for any student or scientist interested in dna structure and its biological implications. In doing so, they find out about the basics of dna structure and complementary base pairs. Its orientation, width, width between nucleotides, length and number of nucleotides per helical turn is constant. Debate current and potential issues in genetics and genomics with this cardbased discussion activity.
784 971 343 657 917 402 1555 360 446 1460 463 715 208 207 350 556 1352 35 1266 250 1600 1044 1653 236 1436 1449 20 939 1086 623 1446 1200 872 749 174 558 1230 1490 1464