Climbing the Ladder of DNA

MODULE #1

CLIMBING THE LADDER OF DNA

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 90 minutes

MODULE OBJECTIVES:

Students will construct and implement a laboratory protocol to extract DNA from the nucleus of an organism.
Students will be able to describe the structure of the four different nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, base) and how they bond together to form DNA.

CONCEPT(S) LEARNED IN THIS MODULE:

The structure of the DNA is arranged in a double helix of paired nucleotide sequences (A-T, C-G). DNA is located in the nucleus of eukaryotic organisms.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THIS UNIT MODULE (AAAS PROJECT 2061):

The genetic information encoded in DNA molecules provides instructions for assembling protein molecules. The code used is virtually the same for all life forms (5C, Grades 9-12, 4).

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES UTILIZED IN THIS MODULE:

Electronic Appearance of Francis Crick
(http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/CC/crick.html)
The Tech Museum
(http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/genome/intro4.html)
Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC)
(http://www.genetics.utah.edu/section5/sc5afrm.html) Click on: Basic Genetics, What is DNA?
Inspiration Software
(http://www.inspiration.com)

Module Overview

Component names which are hot links indicate that associated student activities and teacher materials may be downloaded as pdf files. Go to the Adobe Acrobat^®websitefor a free software download if you do not have the plug-in.

Components Brief Description of Module Activities Student
Grouping Materials / Technology

Engagement DNA is like a twisting ladder...(Rensberger, Life Itself, 1996)
Graphic Organizer constructed using Inspiration
Read a portion of an interview with Francis Crick (web-whacked from www.accessexcellence.com) Class Rope ladder and graphic organizer

Exploration Guided Inquiry- How can we extract DNA from the nucleus of a cell? Students will hypothesize about which ingredient (detergent, meat tenderizer, alcohol) to use and why. Students will outline and implement laboratory protocol.DNA Exploration- Explore the cells of the hand to identify where DNA is located (The Tech Museum). Groups Detergent
Meat Tenderizer
Alcohol
Internet Access

Explanation Class Discussion- Who was able to successfully extract DNA from a cell? What protocol did you use and why? What does the extract DNA look like? What did the DNA from the hand cells look like under an electron microscope? Class

Extension Building DNA - Students will build a DNA molecule by manipulating nucleotides (GSLC). Students will print out their molecule of DNA along with the answers to the complementary questions. Individual Internet Access

Evaluation DNA Extraction- Students will justify why and when they used ingredients to separate DNA from the nucleus of an organism. Lab protocol will be submitted with extracted DNA.Building DNA- Each group of students will receive a smaller version of a rope ladder. Students will convert rope ladder into a model of DNA by attaching sugars, phosphates, and bases. Groups Rope ladders
Colored paper
Glue

EXPECTED MODULE OUTCOMES:

Students will have implemented their designed protocol for DNA extraction. Those students who were successful in designing and implementing their protocol will have DNA as a product. Students who were not successful the first time will redesign their laboratory protocol.
Students will produce a DNA molecule using GSLC. Students will also submit answers to questions that correspond to "Building a DNA molecule".

PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF MODULE OUTCOMES:

Students will submit laboratory protocol and extracted DNA.
Students will construct a model of DNA using a twisted rope ladder as the skeleton on which to put sugars, phosphates, and bases.

Components	Brief Description of Module Activities	Student Grouping	Materials / Technology
Engagement	DNA is like a twisting ladder...(Rensberger, Life Itself, 1996) Graphic Organizer constructed using Inspiration Read a portion of an interview with Francis Crick (web-whacked from www.accessexcellence.com)	Class	Rope ladder and graphic organizer
Exploration	Guided Inquiry- How can we extract DNA from the nucleus of a cell? Students will hypothesize about which ingredient (detergent, meat tenderizer, alcohol) to use and why. Students will outline and implement laboratory protocol.DNA Exploration- Explore the cells of the hand to identify where DNA is located (The Tech Museum).	Groups	Detergent Meat Tenderizer Alcohol Internet Access
Explanation	Class Discussion- Who was able to successfully extract DNA from a cell? What protocol did you use and why? What does the extract DNA look like? What did the DNA from the hand cells look like under an electron microscope?	Class
Extension	Building DNA - Students will build a DNA molecule by manipulating nucleotides (GSLC). Students will print out their molecule of DNA along with the answers to the complementary questions.	Individual	Internet Access
Evaluation	DNA Extraction- Students will justify why and when they used ingredients to separate DNA from the nucleus of an organism. Lab protocol will be submitted with extracted DNA.Building DNA- Each group of students will receive a smaller version of a rope ladder. Students will convert rope ladder into a model of DNA by attaching sugars, phosphates, and bases.	Groups	Rope ladders Colored paper Glue

MODULE #1

CLIMBING THE LADDER OF DNA

Module Overview

Unit Flow Chart Unit Description Modules: 1 2 3 4

Unit Flow Chart
Unit Description
Modules: 1 2 3 4