Climbing the Ladder of DNA

MODULE #3

PLAYING A ROLE IN PROTEIN PRODUCTION!

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: 90 minutes

MODULE OBJECTIVES:

Students will be able to describe the process of transcription, including the definition of codon.
Students will be able to describe translation as mRNA into amino acid sequences.

CONCEPT(S) LEARNED IN THIS MODULE:

DNA is transcribed into mRNA in the nucleus. The single stranded mRNA molecule has slightly different base-pairing rules than DNA (U-T, C-G). When mRNA leaves the nucleus it travels into the cytoplasm to find a free ribosome where translation occurs. mRNA is translated into a string of amino acids.

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

Protein molecules are long, usually folded chains made from 20 different kinds of amino-acid molecules (5C, Grades 9-12, 3).
The genetic information encoded in DNA molecules provides instructions for assembling protein molecules (5C, Grades 9-12, 4).

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES UTILIZED IN THIS MODULE:

Waksman Challenge (http://avery.rutgers.edu/WSSP/Challenge/howitworks.html)

Module Overview

Components Brief Description of Module Activities Student
Grouping Materials / Technology

Engagement Given a sequence of DNA, can we make a protein? Model - Teacher involves students in the process of transcription and translation by assigning roles (nucleus, ribosomes, cytoplasm, DNA, mRNA, tRNA, etc.) Class

Exploration Inside the Cell - the classroom is set up like a cell. Students will navigate around the cell (classroom) to transcribe and translate DNA into a protein. The end product will be a sentence which will represent a protein. Individual

Explanation Central Dogma (DNA-RNA-protein)*the explanation of transcription and translation may better serve the students if it appears before the exploration. Class Worksheet

Extension Waksman: Brain Drain Challenge 2Protein Sequence and Function. Individual Internet Access- Rutgers

Evaluation Students will be evaluated on translating the given DNA sequence from the Waksman Challenge into an amino acid sequence. Students will deduce the function of this protein by relying on the skills they built by using the genetic databases in module 2. Individual Internet Access - BLAST Rutgers

EXPECTED MODULE OUTCOMES:

Students will be able to transcribe and translate a sequence of DNA into a protein. By navigating through the cell (classroom), students will match the organelle with the location of the particular process of transcription and translation.

PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF MODULE OUTCOMES:

Students will discuss how they translated the DNA sequence, posed by the Waksman Challenge, into an amino acid sequence.
Students will propose what the function of the protein is by conducting teleresearch using databases and other web-based tools of choice.

Components	Brief Description of Module Activities	Student Grouping	Materials / Technology
Engagement	Given a sequence of DNA, can we make a protein? Model - Teacher involves students in the process of transcription and translation by assigning roles (nucleus, ribosomes, cytoplasm, DNA, mRNA, tRNA, etc.)	Class
Exploration	Inside the Cell - the classroom is set up like a cell. Students will navigate around the cell (classroom) to transcribe and translate DNA into a protein. The end product will be a sentence which will represent a protein.	Individual
Explanation	Central Dogma (DNA-RNA-protein)*the explanation of transcription and translation may better serve the students if it appears before the exploration.	Class	Worksheet
Extension	Waksman: Brain Drain Challenge 2Protein Sequence and Function.	Individual	Internet Access- Rutgers
Evaluation	Students will be evaluated on translating the given DNA sequence from the Waksman Challenge into an amino acid sequence. Students will deduce the function of this protein by relying on the skills they built by using the genetic databases in module 2.	Individual	Internet Access - BLAST Rutgers

MODULE #3

PLAYING A ROLE IN PROTEIN PRODUCTION!

Module Overview

Unit Flow Chart Unit Description Modules: 1 2 3 4

Unit Flow Chart
Unit Description
Modules: 1 2 3 4