Dna, Heredity and Mutation

TOPIC: DNA, INHERITABLE CHARACTERS AND MUTATION

OBJECTIVES:

1. Discuss examples of inherited disorders, their symptoms, and their causes.
2. Relate genes and protein synthesis to the expression of phenotypes.
3. Describe techniques that permit diagnosis of a genetic disorder.
4. Use a Punnett square and a pedigree as a tool to provide parents with information about the possibility of having a child with a genetic disorder.
5. Learn about scientific research and discoveries on the importance of hypocretin on sleep/wake cycles (when during protein synthesis hypocretin is not produced or is blocked)
6. Write a paragraph summarizing how the protein hypocretin is involved in narcolepsy and in normal sleep in humans.

Resources / Materials:
1. Pens/pencils and markers
2. Classroom board
3. Student journals
4. Art paper for diagrams

5. Computer with internet access.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE.

· DNA structure and base pairing rules

· RNA structure and base pairing rule with DNA

· Formation of Amino acids from group of three nitrogen base.

· Formation of Specific protein molecules from specific combination of Amino Acids.

Procedure:

A.

Divide the class into small groups and direct the groups to make a series of diagrams to show how proteins are synthesized, packaged and exported by the cell. Each group will use textbooks or online resources to research into what happens at each level of protein synthesis.

· Transcription.

· Translation.

· Transportation out of the cell.

B.

Each group will make a model each to indicate their understanding of the different stages they researched using simple materials such as markers, scissors, different colored construction papers, glue and strings.

C. Each group will make a presentation of their findings for each level.

D. Discuss the implication of alteration in the base sequence.

“THE POT GOT HOT” NORMAL SEQUENCE

“THP EOT GOT HOT” REARRANGEMENT

“THP OTG OTH OT” DELETION

E. Let each group research about a disease caused by defect in genetic makeup.

Example. Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome, narcolepsy etc.

F. Each group will report back to the class at the end of their investigation.