Life Science Standard 1

Created Feb. 6, 2024 by Matt Brinkman


Title:  Standards-Based Life Science/Biology (Activities for credit make-up:  NGSS HS-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms:  Structures and Processes)  

Author:  Matt Brinkman

Overview / Description:

These activities will satisfy the requirements for meeting life science standards for credit make-up.

Subject(s):   Life Science/Biology

Grade Level(s):   High School 9-12

Learning goals/objectives:

After completing this activity, students should be able to: Provide evidence supporting the assertion that DNA determines protein structure. Explain how DNA determines the structure of proteins essential for life.

Type of Activity:

  • Individual

Teaching Strategies:

  • Discussion
  • Use of Technology
  • Creating a Product

Content Standards:  HS-LS1-1Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Length of Time:  1 or 2 class periods.

Materials:

  • Computer with internet access
  • Printer
  • Paper, pen or pencil
  • Various project supplies as needed

Directions (Step-by-Step):

For this assignment, you will look at a protein and find out how DNA specifies that it is made.  To explain how DNA determines structure, you will look at a genetic disease that is based on the function of a protein and then check out how it’s linked to the genetic structure and inheritance.

Essential Questions:

What is DNA?

How does DNA determine the structure of molecules like proteins?

How can we show that structure is determined by the DNA & genetic code?

What happens if DNA gets messed up?

What is the role of DNA and genes in disorders?

  1. Write definitions for the terms below.
  • DNA:
  • nucleotide:
  • amino acid:
  • codon:
  • mutation:
  • conformation:
  1. Use this website starting at page 2 and work through page 3 and 4.  Take the “test bite” and record your score here __________, take it over until you get a perfect score and print or copy/paste your results here…
  1. Figure out how many three-letter "words," such as AAA or ATA etc. can be made from four letters A, T, C, and G. (Hint:  you should find there are 16 possible "words" beginning with A.)  This is the “alphabet” of DNA!
  1. Look at this website about the shape of proteins… protein folding “conformation”  

  1. Protein Function and Three-Dimensional Structure

What contains the information needed to make proteins?

  1. The Energetic Funnel

All the information needed for a protein to fold into its three-dimensional conformation  is contained in the ___________  ____________ sequence.

  1. Protein Conformation and the Concept of Misfolding

How do misfolded proteins result?

  1. Misfolded Proteins and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Accumulation of misfolded proteins can cause disease, and unfortunately some of these diseases, known as “amyloid” diseases, are very common. Which is the most prevalent(common) one?

  1. Now you’re going to look at an inherited disease called “sickle cell anemia.”  Sickle cell anemia is caused by a difference in the genetic code of a blood protein called “hemoglobin.”  Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that holds and carries Oxygen.  Use this website from the National Institute of Health and this website to answer the questions below.
  1. Why is it called “sickle” cell?
  2. What are the symptoms someone with sickle cell anemia would experience?
  1. Use this activity and worksheet  from the Concord.org molecular workbench to model and compare the normal hemoglobin and the sickle cell hemoglobin protein.  

Wrap-Up:

Answer the essential questions at the beginning of the activity.

Assessment (Formative / Summative):

Check/discuss essential questions with teacher.

Extension Activity:

OER Commons License:

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