DNA molecules hold the secrets that make us unique. The fourth of 12 lessons explores the structure of DNA by building candy models. After building the models, young scientists break their models to begin the process of DNA replication....

Students study the process of DNA Fingerprinting and how DNA Fingerprinting is used in solving crimes. They examine a crime scenario that involves collecting DNA Fingerprinting information from blood collected at the crime scene. They...

How effective are cells at repairing UV damage? An inquiry-based lesson has learners experiment with organism by exposing them to various levels of UV light and then examining their DNA after a period of time. Pupils test different...

Students conduct an experiment that allows them to assess individual differences in random DNA sequences and apply those differences when solving a forensic problem. After discussing the polymerase chain reaction and its use to identify...

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."...

Students simulate the Sanger method of DNA sequencing using color pop-beads as a representation of nucleotides and dideoxynucleotides. Students assemble DNA sequences and run their sequences through a "sequencing gel" and sketch what...

Students explore gel electrophoresis using paper models. They model DNA sequences and shade the boxes on their Gel Electrophoresis Sheet which represent the individual fragments.

Seventh-graders come in to science class to find a file on their desks detailing a crime to be solved! As a demonstration, you simulate the restriction of DNA samples and separate them by electrophoresis. From the gel, learners can...

Students discuss DNA Fingerprinting and gel electrophoresis before participating in a crime solving activity. Students simulate their DNA using adding tape and complete the steps necessary to do a gel electrophoresis. They discuss the...

Pupils create numbered DNA sequences by taping together the order of the sequence. They count the number of bases in their RFLP's and shade the boxes on their Gel Electrophoresis sheets that represent individual fragments. They compare...

Ninth graders use this activity to simulate the sequencing of gene and to detect the presence of possible genetic defects. They use diagrams that represent bands of nucleotides in order to determine the sequence of a small piece of the...

Learners investigate the production of proteins by the DNA. In this protein synthesis lesson plan, students use paper models to explore transcription and translation to make proteins using DNA. Learners answer 10 questions to demonstrate...

Students work in cooperative groups of four and manipulate paper nucleotides to discover the structure of DNA. They model DNA and sing the DNA song to review concepts. Lyrics to song included in lesson plan.

Students discover that proteins that are the product of DNA translation are different for different species. They determine that by analyzing their mass and charge they can differentiate between two different species. They use some of...

Did you know that meat tenderizers contain DNA cutting enzimes? Did you know that you can isolate your own DNA? Or the DNA of fruit? Explore with your learners the DNA world with a series of experiments using readily available materials...

Young scholars apply the rules of complementary base pairing to finding the complementary sequence to a given strand of DNA. After extensive researching, the also find the amino acid sequence encoded by a given strand of DNA.

What will your class learn in a curious tale of a fungus, a virus, and a chestnut tree? Biology scholars discover the world of viral biocontrols through a DNA restriction lab. Groups research the decline of the American chestnut tree at...

Young scholars explore the uses of sequence alignment.  In this DNA lesson students complete several experiments on sequencing and algorithms. 

Students compare different DNA and run a gel electrophoresis.  In this DNA activity students complete a DNA activity that allows them to better understand its structure and function. 

Young scholars use a DNA strand to identify the component parts. They discuss an RNA molecule, protein fragments, and nucleotides. They explore how the order of nucleotides determines the order of amino acids in proteins.

Students use this laboratory exercise, restriction enzymes to recognize a four-, six-, and eight-nucleotide sequence. Assuming that the four component nucleotides (A, C, T, G) are distributed randomly within a DNA molecule, then any...

Students explore three lab experiments involving DNA, mitosis, and mutation. They complete activities and play games to review DNA, mitosis and mutation concepts. They build a DNA molecule and create flip cards representing mitosis in...

Rotating through five stations, evolutionary biologists explore the question of how changes in DNA facilitate the changes in a population over time. High-quality, colorful cards of animals, skeletons, skulls, and DNA sequences can all be...

Students use Biology Workbench to explore DNA sequence data for the GULOP gene in humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and crab-eating macaques and the beta globin gene and its pseduogene in humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.