• Acquire:
  1. List the molecular components of a DNA molecule.
  2. Describe the shape of a DNA molecule.
  3. Record the effects of DNA as viewed in the movie clips.

• Process:
  1. Compare replication, transcription, and translation of DNA and RNA.
  2. Contrast the structure of DNA versus RNA.
  3. Explain how DNA replicates.
  4. Explain how polypeptides (proteins) are produced from DNA's code.
  5. Review the steps of protein synthesis.

• Extend:
  1. Analyze the effects of DNA on organisms.
  2. Defend the use of DNA research in science.

• Science Proficiency Outcomes:
  1. 10th grade: 6,7, 8, 16
  2. 12th grade:2, 7, 12, 15, 17

• Science Model Domain: Life Science

• Interdisciplinary Ties: Social Sciences, Humanities/Film Studies, Art

• Appropriate Grade Levels: 10-12

1. Portions edited from the following videos: Gattaca, Jurassic Park, The Fly, and Lorenzo's Oil.
2. The template patterns for the nitrogenous bases, sugars, phosphates, and amino acids.
3. Gluesticks, colored pencils, paper clips, scissors, and drawing paper.

Human Genetics:Concepts and Applications.2nded. by Ricki Lewis. WM.C.Brown publishers.1997. IBSN 0-697-24030-4

 

Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology. By Helen Kreuzer and Adrianne Massey. ASM press.1996 IBSN 1-55581-101-9

 

"Lorenzo's Oil" MCA Universal,1992

 

"GATTACA" Columbia Pictures,1997.

 

"The Fly" Twentieth Century Fox Corp.,1986.

 

"Jurassic Park" Universal Pictures,1993.

 

DNA is the "blue print" of life. This molecule contains the information that instructs the cell on the building of polypeptides (protein) molecules. This molecular information is passed on from generation to generation within species as an assurance of a continuation of that species.

DNA is composed of nitrogenous bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. Also, it contains a sugar-phosphate backbone. This molecule is shaped as a double helix held together by weak hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases.

DNA replicates itself within the nucleus of eukaryotes and within the cytoplasm of prokaryotes by the use of enzymes. Next, DNA transcribes the information contained within its genetic code for protein production to messenger RNA. Finally, messenger RNA translates the genetic code for protein synthesis at ribosomes in a cell's cytoplasm.

This module will use film clips depicting DNA to introduce students to its structure and function. We will use several dry lab activities to illustrate the structure and function of DNA and RNA in the transmission of genetic information and protein synthesis. Learners will extend this knowledge by researching the application of DNA technology.

KEY TERMS:

adenine: One of two purine nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA.

complementary base pairs: the pair of DNA bases that bond together ; adenine hydrogen bonds to thymine and guanine to cytosine in the DNA double helix.

cytosine: one of the two pyrimidine nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA.

deoxyribose: the five carbon sugar in a DNA nucleotide.

DNA polymerase: an enzyme that participates in DNA replication by inserting new DNA bases and correcting mismatched base pairs.

DNA replication: construction of a new DNA double helix using the information in parental strands as a template.

guanine: one of the two purine nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA.

helicase: a type of enzyme that unwinds and holds the strands of a replicating DNA double helix.

ligase: an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of covalent bonds in the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA.

purine: a type of organic molecule with a two ring structure, including the nitrogenous bases adenine and guanine.

pyrimidine: a type of organic molecule with a single ring structure , including the nitrogenous bases cytosine, thymine and uracil.

ribose: a five carbon sugar in RNA.

RNA polymerase: an enzyme that synthesizes short pieces of RNA that initiate DNA replication. RNA polymerase also adds RNA nucleotides to a growing RNA chain in transcription.

RNA primer: a short sequence of RNA that initiates DNA replication.

thymine: one of the two pyrimidine bases in DNA.

amino acid: the small organic molecule that is a protein building block. Contiguous triplets of DNA nucleotide bases and code the twenty types of amino acids that polymerize to form biological proteins.

anticodon: a three base sequence on one loop of transfer RNA molecule that is complementary to a messenger RNA codon, and therefore brings together the appropriate amino acid and its messenger RNA instructions.

coding strand: the side of the DNA double helix that is transcribed into RNA.

codon: a continuous triplet of messenger RNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

genetic code: the correspondence between specific DNA base sequences and the amino acids they specify.

messngerRNA: a molecule of ribonucleic acid complementary in sequence to the sense strand of a gene. MessengerRNA carries the information that specifies a particular protein product.

ribosome: a structure made of RNA and protein that a genes messenger RNA anchors to during protein synthesis.

transcription: manufacturing RNA from DNA.

transfer RNA: a small RNA molecule that connects an amino acid at one site and a messenger RNA codon at another site.

translation: assembly of an amino acid chain according to the sequence of base triplets in a molecule of messenger RNA.

• Engagement Activites:
  
  1. Show the video clips entitled "DNA STRUCTURE & FUNCTION". Ask the learners to describe and sketch the structure of DNA. Next, have the learners list the effects of DNA upon organisms.
  2. In small groups the learners will compare their sketches of DNA and lists of DNA's effects upon organisms.

• Exploration Activites:
  Dry Lab Exercises: See Attached Activity Packets
  1. DNA Model Activity
  2. Protein Synthesis Activity

• Explanation Activites:
  
  1. Learners will demonstrate and explain each step of replication, transcription, and translation.
  2. QUESTIONS:

     DNA Model Activity:

     Which nitrogen bases pair up with one another?

     What enzyme breaks the hydrogen bonds of the nitrogen bases during replication?

     What is the purpose of the enzyme ligase?

     What is the purpose of DNA replicating itself?

      

     Protein Synthesis Model Activity:

     What are the structural differences between a DNA molecule and RNA molecule?

     What are the functional differences between a DNA molecule and RNA molecule?

     Contrast replication, transcription, and translation.

• Extension Activites:
  Learners working in pairs will be asked to extend this knowledge by researching the uses of DNA in the following areas: medical, industrial, agricultural, and in conservation of endangered species. The learners will present their findings by use of poster presentations to small groups.

• Evaluation Activites:
  

  Type One Written:

  Sketches and Answers to the dry lab activities.

  Tests over replication, transcription, and translation.

   

  Type Two Performance:

  Demonstrate with models replication, transcription, and translation.

   

  Type Three Extended:

  The learners will present their findings by use of poster presentations to small groups on the following areas of DNA biotechnology: medical, industrial, agricultural, and in conservation of endangered species.

• Assessment Techniques Utilized:
  Types One, Two, and Three as above.