Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

DNA Function, Structure and Replication

DNA structure

In this analysis and discussion activity, students learn the basics of DNA function, structure, and replication.

The sequence of nucleotides in a gene determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein, which determines the structure and function of the protein. Different versions of a gene give the instructions to make different versions of a protein, which can result in different characteristics.

Since many different proteins are needed for a cell to be alive, each cell needs a complete copy of the DNA with all of the genes. Therefore, before a cell divides, it needs to make a copy of all its DNA. Students analyze DNA replication to understand how the double helix structure of DNA, the base-pairing rules, and DNA polymerase work together to produce two identical copies of the original DNA molecule.

This activity can be used to introduce your students to key concepts about DNA or to review these concepts.

The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in online instruction and distance learning. The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). For question 12, students can use the online DNA Replication Simulation

AttachmentSize
DNA SHO .docx3.33 MB
DNA SHO .pdf909.21 KB
DNA TN .docx2.97 MB
DNA TN .pdf1.15 MB

Comments

iwaldron's picture

2023 revision

I have improved the figures in the Student Handout and reorganized the questions in a more logical sequence. Correspondingly, the Teacher Notes have been reorganized and revised.

Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

Second revision in 2020

The Student Handout has been reorganized, revised, and expanded to enhance student understanding of the structure, function and replication of DNA. The revised and expanded Teacher Notes provide additional background information and instructional suggestions.
Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

2020 revision

The Teacher Notes have been enhanced with:

– suggestions about how to help the students interpret the first figure in the Student Handout

– a DNA Quiz that can be used to assess and reinforce student learning, and

– corrected templates for the nucleotide letters in the pieces for the DNA replication activity.

Serendip Visitor's picture

DNA nucleotide letters

Thank you for sharing this activity. I used it with 9th graders. The only issue that I had was some of the "S" and "P" letters on the nucleotides were flipped. Therefore, after the students created their models some were confused if the strands of DNA were really the same. Otherwise, the activity worked well.

iwaldron's picture

Problem resolved

I have been unable to figure out how to fix the reversed letters, so I changed question 9 to ask whether the sequence of nucleotides is the same, instead of asking whether there are any differences between the DNA molecules. This should avoid the problem mentioned in the above comment.

iwaldron's picture

Thank you for your comment

Thank you for your input.  I have been aware of the reversed letters, but have not fixed them because of my technical limitations.  Now that I am aware that this creates a problem for student learning, I will put this on my list of things to fix this summer.

Ingrid

jodie houchin's picture

I need the key to DNA show doc- first doc

I need the key to DNA show doc- first doc

iwaldron's picture

Key for activity

Please read the comments below and the Teacher Preparation Notes.

Ingrid

Serendip Visitorkathy brown's picture

Biology

I need the key

iwaldron's picture

Key

Please see my reply to the message below.

Serendip Visitor's picture

Answer Key for the DNA Structure, Function and Replication Wksht

Hello, I was asking if you guys had an answer key for the wksht? It would be great!

iwaldron's picture

Answer Key

Please see the Teacher Preparation Notes for background information and instructional suggestions, as well as information about the key.

iwaldron's picture

2015 revision

The questions in the Student Handout have been streamlined to improve the focus on key points. The Teacher Preparation Notes provide improved instructions for the hands-on simulation of DNA replication.

iwaldron's picture

2014 revision

The 2014 revision of the Student Handout has substantially revised questions to improve student learning of the most important concepts related to the structure, function and replication of DNA. The revised Student Handout also incorporates hands-on modeling of DNA replication. The Teacher Preparation Notes have been revised to accommodate these changes, to indicate alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards, and to suggest follow-up activities. 

shirley regalado's picture

biology

please consider me as one of your client. i need more minds on and hands on activities for my students to improve and increase their learning retention.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
1 + 1 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.