DNA and the Genetic Basis of Life: Life Is A Puzzle

All About You Teacher Education Course

School Year 2016-17

Life is a Puzzle: Objectives

Students will:

• Use a model to determine how DNA molecule’s structure allows genes to code information for functions essential to life.

• Describe the relationship between genes, proteins, and traits.

• Use a model to determine the potential effect of gene mutations on proteins.

Conceptual Change Cycle

Uncover IdeasGMO Social Media Themed Probe

Complete the table on your own

“Here’s my thinking…” in small groups

America’s MisconceptionsSurvey about DNA & genetic testing• https://blog.23andme.com/news/happy-dna-day/

Experience Phenomenon: Folding StripsCut strips along dotted lines

• note strips are labeled A, B, C and D

Folding Rules• Folds can only occur along solid lines• Folds must be done in sequence listed• Strip must be folded at every solid line

Once folded, place on summary chart• Does the folded strip fit inside the shape?• How would you describe the error in folding instructions?

Experience Phenomenon

Where are the instructions for building & folding proteins?

Experience Phenomenon: DNA Structure

Pieces of the Puzzle

• Deoxyribose Sugar

• Phosphate

• Adenine

• Thymine

• Cytosine

• Guanine

Directions:

• Use the pieces on your table to model the structure of DNA.

• Once you have the puzzle figured out correctly tape them together.

• HINT: they will only fit together one way!

Completed Puzzle!

Making Meaning

Instructions for making proteins

Amoeba Sisters DNA Playlist

Pieces of the Puzzle… Explained

Pieces of the Puzzle… ExplainedNucleotides

• The basic unit of the DNA molecule, compose of a sugar, phosphate and a nitrogen base (A,C,T,G)

• Held together by covalent bonds.

Pieces of the Puzzle… ExplainedSugar-phosphate backbone

• The supports of the ladder, held together by strong covalent bonds which gives the molecule its strength.

Note: the solid lines in this diagram represent covalent bonds.

Pieces of the Puzzle… ExplainedComplementary base pairs

• Nitrogen bases that form the rungs of the ladder. • Only pair with one of the other three bases. • Purines: Adenine and Guanine- double ring• Pyrimidine: Thymine and Cytosine- single ring• Held together by hydrogen bonds, weaker bonds (dotted lines)

Making Meaning

Why DNA is Important• DNA- the molecule that provides the instruction for life, from the

color of our eyes to if we are more susceptible to certain diseases.

• Genes are coded by the order of the nitrogen base pairs on one side of the molecule

Completed puzzleDouble Helix- DNA forms a two stranded twisted

ladder which results from the overall structure of the molecule

Allows the molecule to be stored efficiently in the nucleus of the cell

Demonstrating New KnowledgeMutations: The good, the bad, and the eh…

Reflection and MetacognitionPoint of most significanceMuddiest pointThinking log stems pg 191

Why DNA?What are the major

pieces of DNA?

What characteristics make DNA so good at what it has to do?

Compare and contrast DNA to a ladder.