Lesson+11

Grade Level: 10

Unit: Biology

Assignment type: Lab exercise

Lesson objectives (include 4 or 5): Student will understand Student will be able to
 * The molecular components of DNA and RNA and how they fit together into unified structures.
 * How DNA and RNA function to create proteins that build body structures and help our body to function.
 * Create a complementary DNA or RNA strand using a DNA template in accordance with the base pairing rules.
 * Create a protein (chain of amino acids) from a messenger RNA template in accordance with the codon sequence.

Time required to complete this lesson: 1 to 3 lab sessions

Title of lesson: Understanding DNA and RNA function lab

Resources/materials needed: DNA and RNA nucleotide models (paper, plastic, metal, or wood), large beads made of the same material to represent amino acids, felt pens to write the abbreviations of amino acid names on the beads, string or twine to string the beads upon, RNA codon lists, Power Point slides or videos describing the DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes.

Description of lesson (if you were to describe to a parent what was happening in the classroom for this lesson, what would you say in a few paragraphs). This lab exercise is a dynamic model of a fundamental biological process that is the basis of the expression of genes (whether resulting in a physical or chemical product). Students will first use the DNA models to depict **DNA replication** (the process in which DNA divides into two identical strands). Given a strand of DNA nucleotides (a template), students will build a complimentary DNA strand onto the template using loose nucleotide pieces according to the DNA base pairing rules. Next, the students will depict the **transcription** process by building a complimentary RNA strand onto the DNA template (much the same as replication but using the U nucleotide in place of the T and, of course, the RNA doesn't stay attached to the DNA, but moves out of the nucleus to make a protein). FInally, students will refer to the RNA strand made during transcription to depict **translation** (the actual protein building process) by building an amino acid chain out of the beads and string (while also referring to the RNA codon list that matches **codons** (sets of 3 RNA nucleotides) with corresponding amino acids. The beads should have the abbreviations of amino acid names written on them with felt tip pen.

Assignment (homework or in-class: this is how the learner will practice the learning that has just occurred): The lab exercise described above.

Technology used: No technology is required for this lab although Power Point slides or videos may be used to clarify concepts. The Podcast that I recorded on DNA replication and the RNA transcription and translation processes can be a good learning aid. It is accessible from the Teaching with Technology page on this site.

The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way: Facilitates interpretation and visualization of the concepts of replication, transcription, and translation. The Podcast provides a mini lecture on the fundamental processes of DNA and RNA whereever the students may happen to be.