Lesson 5: Engineered Life
Suggested Time: 60 mins
Overview
Students will start with the basics of DNA, looking at its chemical
components and relating it to the big picture of how all life works and
sustains itself. Then, working in groups, they will build models of the
DNA Double Helix and the transcription process, and extract their own
autosomal DNA just like in a laboratory.
Vocabulary
- Genes
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Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
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Nucleotide strands
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Double helix
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Bonds
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Nitrogenous Bases
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Nutrition
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Nutrigenomics
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Replication
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Transcription
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RNA
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Mitosis
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Meiosis
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Autosomal DNA
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Dominant and recessive traits
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Inheritance
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Chromosomes
Objectives
- Students will learn that DNA is the building block of life in all
organisms.
-
Students will consider DNA from an interdisciplinary perspective,
including chemistry and nutritional science.
-
Students will make a link between the sun’s energy and DNA,
reinforcing their grasp of food webs and the cycle of life.
-
Students will understand the biology of inheritance.
Required Project
Materials
- Toothpicks
-
Round balls of any material (styrofoam, rubber, textile) of various
colors
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Glue
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Color pens or pencils and paper
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DNA, Replications and Transcriptions Set.
http://amzn.com/B000O8Z7UQ
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DNA Necklace Extraction Kit.
http://www.carolina.com/dna-extraction-quantification-
kits/dna-necklace-classroom-kit/211138.pr or Genes in a Bottle Kit
http://www.bio- rad.com/en-us/product/genes-bottle-kit
Multimedia Resources
- “What is DNA and How Does it Work?” Stated Clearly video (5.23)
https://youtu.be/ zwibgNGe4aY
-
“The Science of Candy.” Exploratorium. Interactive website.
https://
www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar.html
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“Food4Me Science.” Interactive website.
http://www.food4me.org/about/nutrigenomics
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Nabhan, Gary Paul. Food, Genes, and Culture: Eating Right for
your Origins . http:// amzn.com/1610914929
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“List of Organisms by Chromosome Count.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
List_of_organisms_by_chromosome_count
-
“Mike’s New Car.” Monster’s Inc Short Film (Disney Studios). Video
(3.48) https:// youtu.be/WBkK4rg_w0U .
-
“Tiki’s Guide to Genetic Engineering.” Interactive website.
http://tiki.oneworld.net/ genetics/home.html
-
“Agriculture’s Sustainable Future: Breeding Better Crops.”
Scientific American. http://
www.scientificamerican.com/article/agricultures-sustainable-future/
Optional Multimedia
Resources
- Punnett square:
http://scienceprimer.com/punnett-square-calculator
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
- DNA is made up of molecules called nucleotides . Each
nucleotide contains a phosphate group, a sugar group
and a nitrogen base. The four types of nitrogen
bases are adenine (A) , thymine (T) , guanine
(G) and cytosine (C) . The order of these bases is what
determines DNA’s instructions, or genetic code.
-
Choose lessons and activities from the DNA, Replications and
Transcriptions set. Pair with readings, puzzles, and other activities
from Learning About DNA .
-
Choose lessons and activities from the DNA Necklace or Genes in a
Bottle kit.
-
Read “Tiki’s Guide to GE” and “Agriculture’s Sustainable Future:
Breeding Better Crops.”
The Lesson
Part 1: Genes and Food (20
mins)
- Show “What is DNA and How Does it Work?” Go back over the vocabulary
and concepts.
-
What does food have to do with DNA? What does the cell use as its fuel
source? Does DNA dictate what kinds of food you can eat? Allow
students to explore “The Science of Candy” and “Food4Me Science”.
Introduce the book Food, Genes, and Culture: Eating Right for
Your Origins .
Part 2: DNA Laboratory (40
mins)*
1. Students will perform experiments from the DNA extraction kit or
build models using the DNA Replications and Transcriptions set.
*Students may conduct activities using the DNA Laboratory kits
throughout the semester, as they have time. Pepper appropriate
assignments throughout the semester depending on your students’
interests.
Homework:
- Students will work on their reading and book report for
the end of the
semester.
- Assign readings from Genetic Engineering.