Curated OER
DNA Fingerprinting
Ninth graders investigate what restriction enzymes do, and explain how a DNA sample can link a suspect to a crime.
Kenan Fellows
Unit 3: Genetic Variation
What happens when genes change? Junior genetic investigators examine the effects of mutation in the third unit of a four-part Biotechnology series. Individuals discover the types of mutations through a series of PowerPoints, then partner...
Curated OER
Biotechnology
The concepts here cover the gamut of biotechnological engineering. Information is given about plasmids and genetic manipulation. After reviewing genetic engineering, this slide show would be useful to recap some of the main procedures.
Beyond Benign
What is Biotechnology
Examine the sequence of key events in the history of genetics. An engaging lesson asks scholars to sort events to create a timeline of biotechnology milestones. Arranging the events gives learners a perspective on the development of...
Curated OER
How Mutations Lead to Changes in Cell Structure and Function
Learners 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...
Curated OER
A Little More Advanced Biotechnology Tools: Better Plasmids
A nice set of information that will help your students understand the process of using recombinant plasmids. DNA hybridization and blotting mechanisms help illustrate expressed genes and the concepts behind the Human Genome Library....
Curated OER
A Little More Advanced Biotechnology Tools; Better Plasmids
After using this DNA and plasmids slide show, the steps of the delicate procedures of southern blotting and DNA libraries should be more clear to your students. Students will read the guidelines and are also prompted to answer questions...
Curated OER
What Can Pseudogenes Tell Us About Common Ancestry?
Students compare/constrast DNA sequence data for a portion of the rat GULO gene to the corresponding sequence in the inactive GULO gene in humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and crab-eating macaques by identifying the shared sequences in...
Curated OER
Adaptations of Fishes for Survival in Polar Environments
Students compare the anatomy of temperature and polar fishes. They explore the adverse effects of cold on metabolism and physiology and discuss how polar fishes adapt to their environments. Comparisons are also made to the DNA sequences...
Curated OER
BLAST Algorithm
Students explore a series of activities on using BLAST. In this biology lesson, students explain the significance of BLAST in DNA query. They give real world applications of BLAST.
Curated OER
Anticodons And Amino Acids Game
Students examine the process of protein synthesis. In small groups, they select an index card, and translate the DNA to an amino acid, and define the words on an anticodon/amino acid chart.
Curated OER
Electrophoresis Analogy
High schoolers participate in a simulation of electrophoresis separation of DNA fragments. They link arms to form DNA fragments with each student representing a nucleotide. As they move through an obstacle course they discover how...
Curated OER
A Spool Of Thread
Students describe a spool of light colored thread that the teacher holds in his/her hands. They are asked what substances (cotton and wood) are present and what structures (thread and spool) are present. The teacher conclude that the...
Curated OER
Simulation of Gene Splicing
Students simulate gene splicing by examining bacteria. They create a bacterial DNA into which they insert the human DNA (gene) that codes for growth hormone. They cut the sites of the enzyme to study how the human DNA can be joined to...
Curated OER
The Case of Regulation in Cells
After your biologists have learned about transcription, translation, and gene regulation, they work in a small group to create a poster of a system that serves as an analogy of the gene regulation process. They share their creations with...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The RNA Message Is Sometimes Edited
In 1993, Phillip Sharp and Richard Roberts won the Nobel Prize for their discovery of split gene theory. Learn about the breakthrough with the help of an online interactive. Hear both scientists explain it in their own words, watch an...
Curated OER
Genetic Challenge Worksheet
In this genetics worksheet, students describe how to tell the difference between DNA, RNA, and proteins. Students also learn about the processes of transcription and translation. This worksheet has 3 short answer and 3 fill in the blank...
Curated OER
Nucleic Acid
In this chromosome activity students complete a crossword puzzle by answering questions on DNA, nucleic acids, nucleotides and RNA.
Curated OER
Fingerprinting
Students discover the basics of fingerprinting and how it identifies a person. They create their own fingerprints and compare them to classmate's to determine that no two people have the same identity because of fingerprints. Then they...
Curated OER
Genetic Technology
In this genetic technology instructional activity, students will answer 6 true or false statements and 4 short answer questions based on the mapping and sequencing of the human genome and the applications of the Human Genome Project.
Curated OER
Constructing a Protein Sentence
Fourth graders, in pairs, examine how every cell contains a 'blueprint' coded in DNA molecules. They use a DNA template to determine the m-RNA and t-RNA sequences for protein.
Curated OER
Secret Codes
Students practice writing and decoding secret messages before discussing DNA and its role as a code for making proteins. They translate DNA into RNA and identify the sequence of amino acids to find a secret message. An interactive...
Curated OER
Using VNTR Analysis to Identify Guilt at a Crime Scene
Students collect DNA from cheek cells. They compare and contrast the processes of DNA replication and PCR. They discuss how this information can be used to determine guilt at crime scenes.
Curated OER
Gene Action and Mutation
Students review terms related to DNA structure and function. They complete a variety of worksheets in small groups or in pairs reflecting the unit's concepts regarding DNA. They submit their worksheets for grading.