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Discovering Nucleic Discovering Nucleic AcidsAcids

Carolina Biological SupplyCarolina Biological Supply# 251005# 251005$159.95$159.95

Kit Includes 3 Activities

Activity 1. Modeling Protein Synthesis

Activity 2. Genetic Mutations Activity 3. Observing

Mutations.*each activity is expected to

take approximately 45 minutes.

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Materials• Kit is designed for class of 30 students

working in groups of 3.Included in the kit: 300 pop beads of each color (red, blue,

purple, yellow, orange) 300 pop connectors 250 plastic links Order form for shipment of 30 irradiated

onion bulblets and 15 normal onion bublets. 1 box of slides 1 box of coverslips 15 ml toluidine blue 4 oz hydrochloric acid 50 disposable beakers Teachers Manual with reproducible Student

Guide

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Needed but not supplied: 10 forceps 10 droppers 10 scalpels Colored pencils 10 microscopes Stopwatches Permanent markers Large plastic bags Scissors Tape 60 small plastic cups

Prior Kwoledge• Students should have a strong

understanding of DNA and its importance to all living organisms and the processes involved in protein synthesis prior to beginning the activities in this kit.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=983lhh20rGY

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmqhdozuf7Y

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Learning GoalsLearning Goals Review DNA and Protein Synthesis. Identify and model the steps of protein synthesis. Model the formation of a mutation at the

molecular level. Identify mutation as a source of genetic variation. Increase the understanding of the effects

mutagens have on organisms and their DNA.

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Important TermsImportant Terms• Amino acidAmino acid• AnticodonAnticodon• CodonCodon• ComplementaryComplementary• Double helixDouble helix• DNADNA• mRNAmRNA• NucleotideNucleotide• Peptide bondsPeptide bonds• RNARNA• TranscriptionTranscription• TranslationTranslation• tRNAtRNA

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Overview of Overview of ActivitiesActivities

• In activity 1, students build models of DNA and replicate the process of protein synthesis.1. Before beginning, the amino acids

need to be cut out. Then labels are attached by folding each around an amino acid link and taping the ends together.

2. For use in class the amino acids could be laminated and glued together to form a loop for extended use.

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Overview of Overview of ActivitiesActivities

• In Activity 2, students design and conduct and inquiry-based experiment in order to view the differing effect that mutations can have on proteins and the body.1. Student brainstorm ways in

which the original DNA strand could be altered.

2. Student then predict how the changes in the DNA will affect the protein.

3. After completing the steps of protein synthesis, students compare their protein with the protein made in activity 1.

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Overview of ActivitiesOverview of Activities

• In Activity 3, students observe In Activity 3, students observe irradiated onion root tips and irradiated onion root tips and compare the mutated tips to compare the mutated tips to normal onion root tips in order normal onion root tips in order to see the effects of radiation on to see the effects of radiation on DNA.DNA.1. Students observe cells in each 1. Students observe cells in each stage of division in the normal onion stage of division in the normal onion and in the irradiated onion.and in the irradiated onion.2. Students draw observations and 2. Students draw observations and record the differences and similarities record the differences and similarities in the two types of root tips.in the two types of root tips.

Student GroupsStudent Groups

1. work in groups of 3 or 4.1. work in groups of 3 or 4.2. each student group will 2. each student group will get the following get the following materials.materials.

30 beads of each color30 beads of each color30 connector pieces30 connector pieces23 amino acid links, with 23 amino acid links, with

labelslabelscolored pencilscolored pencilsscissorsscissorstapetape

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