Curated OER
Island Biogeography and Evolution: Solving a Phylogenetic Puzzle With Molecular Genetics
Students engage in solving a logic problem based on real organisms and real data. They develop phylogenies for seven related populations of lizards living on the Canary Islands.
Curated OER
DNA
For this DNA worksheet, 9th graders read a brief excerpt pertaining to the genetic code and identify how proteins know which cell to create. Then they use the genetic code dictionary to draw a diagram showing the codons for an imaginary...
Curated OER
Relationships and Biodiversity Lab Practice
In this biodiversity worksheet, high schoolers determine the relationship and complete the evolutionary tree for the plants listed. Students review genetic code and DNA sequencing. This worksheet has 1 graphic organizer, 8 multiple...
Curated OER
Cut-off Genes
Investigate the relationships between different deep-sea organisms by DNA sequencing. A worksheet provides instructions for DNA sequencing and space to work. They simulate gel electrophoresis by cutting out paper "DNA strands."...
American Museum of Natural History
DNA Detective
Match up the DNA code. Pupils read the website from the American Museum of Natural History about how DNA can determine whether a skin is from a particular type of reptile. Using the same technique, learners match up products with the...
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...
Curated OER
Taster of Non-Taster?
Students investigate their own inherited traits by using taste papers. In this genetic traits lesson, students test their ability to taste various substances, which is determined by inherited genetic traits. They take home taste papers...
National Association of Biology Teachers
Using the Discovery of the Structure of DNA to Illustrate Cultural Aspects of Science
Times have changed—and so have science practices. An introductory lesson describing the components of DNA begins with a discussion of the discovery of DNA and its perception in different cultures and genders. Scholars then learn about...
Curated OER
Heredity (Mendelian Genetics)
Students observe and record observations of whether a person is a taster or nontaster. They test selected individuals from their families and peer groups and chart all findings to determine which trait (e.g. taster or non-taster) is...
Curated OER
Protein Synthesis Worksheet
Future geneticists use base pairing rules to build DNA and RNA polypeptide strands, and then explain both transcription and translation. Although the chains themselves are a little blurry, there is plenty of room in them for learners to...
Curated OER
The Code of Life
Students study genes, DNA and medical research. They watch "The Code of Life" video and answer discussion questions regarding the transcription and translation of DNA and how errors in these processes and mutations in DNA can produce...
Curated OER
Model Organisms: The Genes We Share
Middle schoolers gather information about gene banks. In this biology activity, students work in groups to complete an activity sheet about genetic databases and organism genomes. Lesson includes extension ideas.
Curated OER
Molecular Evidence for Evolutionary Relationships
Young scholars compare the amino acid sequences in cytochrome-c for a variety of organisms and use this information to infer evolutionary relationships. Students investigate the role of homeobox genes and what this indicates about the...
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
Cutt-Off Genes
High schoolers explore how gene sequence analysis can be used to examine phylogenetic similarities of different organisms. Students work in groups to simulate a gel electrophoresis separation of fragments using poster board to create...
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
Genetics - The Study of Inheritance
For this genetics worksheet, students will compare four pea plants with different alleles that control flower color and complete 5 short answer questions. Then students will read 8 statements about genetic mutations and determine if the...
Curated OER
Island Biogeography and Evolution
High schoolers use this activity as a logic problem that is based on real organisms and real data. The problem is to develop phylogenies for seven related populations of lizards living on the Canary Islands. Three phylogenetic charts...
Curated OER
Taster or Non-Taster?
Students conduct a simple experiment to determine if a trait has been passed from a family member to them.
Biology Junction
Nucleic Acids
In this DNA instructional activity, students identify the different parts of the DNA and color them. They complete 16 short answer and fill in the blank questions on DNA.
Curated OER
DNA Fingerprints
High schoolers interpret different DNA fingerprints, then do a jigsaw activity to explore other uses of DNA forensics. They listen to a radio program about using DNA as evidence and discuss the limitations of and problems with DNA testing.
Curated OER
Transcription and Translation Lab Activity
Young scholars 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...
Curated OER
From Gene to Protein
Here is a detailed presentation to assist in your lectures on the difficult topic of genetic transcription. The history, discovery, and scientific breakthroughs will spark interest. The last 15 slides deal with the biochemistry and...
Curated OER
Biotechnology
The metaphors used here to describe the "cut and paste" procedures for genetic engineering will really help your biologists in their understanding of restriction enzymes and DNA. The uses of genes that are isolated and incorporated...