The Code of Life: An Introduction to DNA

Progression of Activities

Activity 1: The Nature of DNA

Materials:

• Teacher-made worksheet
• Access to the Internet

Organization:

• Access Excellence:RNA and DNA
  http://www.gene.com/ae/AB/GG/rna.html

Activity 2: Replication, Transcription, Translation

Materials: Access to the Internet

Organization:3 Groups

Suggested URL's

• DNA Replication
  http://esg-www.mit.edu:8001/esgbio/dogma/repl.html
• National Institutes on Health
  http://rap.nas.edu/lab/NIH/54700005.html
• DNA Replication
  http://www.gdb.org/Dan/DOE/fig4.html
• DNA Replication
  http://www.luc.edu/depts/biology/dna.htm

• Translation
  http://www.rpi.edu/dept/bio/mbiolab/codon.gif
• Instructional Resources in Biology
  http://golgi.harvard.edu/biopages/edures.html
• Each student group will explore 1 topic (replication, transcription, or translation). They will then teach the rest of the class using any aides or visuals they can develop.

Activity 3: DNA Vocabulary

Materials:Access to the Internet

Suggested URL:

• Access Excellence Classic Collection
  http://www.gene.com/ae/AE/AEC/CC/dna_structure.html
  Students will access the glossary of DNA terminology, download it to their own data disk, and be responsible for knowing the information.

Activity 4: Historical Perspectives and Issues in DNA

Materials:Access to the Internet

Organization:Groups

Suggested URL's:

• MetaCrawler"
  http://www.metacrawler. com
• AltaVista
  http://www.altavista.com
• Lycos
  http://www.lycos.com
• Yahoo
  http://www.yahoo.com
• Each student group will explore one of the assigned topics and will develop an oral and visual presentation for the class. Preliminary instruction will be given on the use of search engines.
  Gregor Mendel
  Hershey-Chase Blender Experiment
  James Watson and Francis Crick
  Dr. Barbara McClintock
  DNA and Forensics
  Environmental Mutagens (Chernobyl)
  Lifestyle Choices (Drugs, Tanning, etc.)

Activity 5: Structural Models

Materials:

• Student-determined construction materials
• Access to the Internet

Organization:Groups

Suggested URL's:

• DNA Molecule: Two Views
  http://www.gene.com/ae/AE/AEC/CC/DNA_views.gif
• Each student group is assigned complementary nucleotides (T-A or C-G). Students will retrieve, examine, and discuss images of the nucleotides. The final goal is the construction of a segment of DNA. Each group will construct a piece of the model.

Activity 6: Testing the Theory: DNA and Colorblindness

Materials:

• Access to the Internet
• Student-generated survey

Suggested URL's:

• Student-determined
• The class will test the theory that a particular trait is passed from parent to offspring through DNA.
• Students will design a survey, collate and interpret the results, and publish the data.
• They will collaborate with students at another Rhode Island high school with connections to Massachusetts. This will increase the sample population and provide an opportunity for comparative study.

Activity 7: The Great Debate: "The Case of Nathaniel Wu"

Materials:

• Access to the Internet
• Response sheet

Organization:2 Groups for debate

Suggested URL's:

• Student-determined
• The teacher will present the case of Nathaniel Wu who was found to carry an allele for Huntington's Disease.
• The question is "Should the genetics research firm hire him knowing he has a fatal gene?"
• Students will determine the debate format, research their opinions, and hold the debate.
• Subsequently, students will be provided a series of questions which will direct them in writing personal responses to the debate and the issues it posed. These responses will be published on the Internet with an invitation for response and further debate.

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