Curated OER
Characterization of the Bioluminescence (Lux+) Gene E. coli
Students grow E. coli strain HB101, which contains the plasmid pUCD607 with the bioluminescence (Lux+) gene. The plasmid containing the Lux+ gene is isolated from the E. coli, then characterized by restriction analysis.
Serendip
The Molecular Biology of Mutations and Muscular Dystrophy
Different types of mutations cause unique types and degrees of muscular dystrophy. Scholars learn about the types of mutations and the impact on the body. They compare the location of the mutations and draw conclusions about how it is...
Curated OER
Bioinformatics
Students conduct a series of scientific investigation using bioinformatics. In this molecular biology instructional activity, students collect experimental data using different educational softwares. They calculate and analyze...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Molecular Evolution of Gene Birth and Death
An upper-level biology activity, the comprehensive worksheet found here accompanies a PowerPoint and the video The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes, both of which are linked to through the website. Depending on the...
Serendip
Using Molecular and Evolutionary Biology to Understand HIV/AIDS and Treatment
HIV mutates rapidly, making treatments challenging to find. Scholars learn about why it mutates so quickly and how scientists race to find treatments. The resource approaches the issue from both a molecular and evolutionary perspective...
Curated OER
The Effect of Natural Selection on Genes, Traits and Individuals
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...
Serendip
From Gene to Protein via Transcription and Translation
DNA carries the codes for creating just the right protein. A well-designed lesson plan leads pupils through the process from start to finish and everywhere in between. Guiding questions with supporting video help scholars understand the...
Serendip
How Eyes Evolved – Analyzing the Evidence
Octopodes existed for hundreds of thousands of years before humans, yet our eyes share many similarities. Scholars analyze the evidence to determine if the evolution of eyes best fits a homology or analogy model. They discuss the issue...
Curated OER
Genetics and Molecular Biology
Students create DNA models using colored construction papers. In this biology activity, students identify enzyme restriction sites. They model how DNA plasmids replicate when taken up by a bacterial cell.
Curated OER
The Case of Regulation in Cells
After your biologists have learned about transcription, translation, and gene regulation, they work in a small group to create a poster of a system that serves as an analogy of the gene regulation process. They share their creations with...
Curated OER
DNA and Genes
Students analyze the structure of DNA. They describe how the structure of DNA enables it to reproduce itself accurately. Students discuss genes and the sequence of nucleotides occur in DNA.
Curated OER
How Genes Work Lesson Plan
High schoolers define the key terms that are the structure and function of DNA. In this genetics lesson plan students complete a lab activity in which they construct a model DNA structure.
Curated OER
Molecular Approaches to Evolution
High schoolers examine the molecular studies of organisms that have led to a new era in their understanding of speciation and evolutionary relationships. Students study the allelic frequency of genes controlling specific molecules and...
Serendip
From Gene to Protein - Transcription and Translation
Learners identify the different steps involved in DNA transcription. For this genetics lesson, pupils complete a worksheet and model the translation process with a paper chain activity. They watch a video on sickle cell anemia and...
Curated OER
Molecular Approaches to Evolution
Students are introduced to working with molecular data. The first activity does both simulated and original data are used to compare amino acid, protein or DNA differences to construct phylogenetic trees or cladograms. These activities...
Curated OER
Trichinella Forensics
Students engage in DNA manipulation using forensics techniques. Students investigate topics involved in forensics studies such as cloning, electrophoresis, gene mapping, replication, and transcription.
Curated OER
Biology Honors Final Project
Tenth graders work on a project about cellular biology and genetics. In this biology instructional activity, 10th graders research about the assigned human body system and genetic disorders that affect it. They create a multimedia...
Curated OER
Gene Regulation Mechanisms
Students explore genetics. They discuss how chromosomes and/or genes are regulated during the life of an organism. In a lab setting, students compare and contrast the genomic regulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using...
Curated OER
Human Inheritance
Students analyze genetic characteristics in a given family tree through the F2 generation. Students apply prior knowledge from Gregor Mendel's study with pea plants and his Laws of Heredity to answer questions.
Curated OER
It's All in the Genes
Twelfth graders investigate the inheritance of traits through several hands-on activities that illustrate the transmission of genetic characteristics. Students study advanced topics including multiple alleles, polygenic traits,...
Curated OER
Biotechnology and The Chocolate Milk Cow
Learners discuss new discoveries that have resulted from the use of recombinant DNA technology and otehr biotechnology. In groups, they create a transgenic cow capable of producing chocolate-flavored milk.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Identical Twins, Identical Fates?
Can different personal experiences affect our genes? Find out in an intriguing case study about one twin who is diagnosed with mental illness and her identical twin who fears she may suffer the same fate. Designed for college-level...
Curated OER
Scientist Simulation
Students envision the work of a research scientist, and the relationship between molecular biology and medicine. This activity allows students to imagine themselves working as research scientists by asking them to complete the end-steps...
Curated OER
Transgenic Mammals
Students are provided with a real life example of research in the areas of genetic and molecular biology. Students examine ethical considerations and related issues such as patent laws and regulatory procedures.