HS-LS3-1

Comparing Mitosis & Meiosis Resources

Liz Belasic1 Comment

meiosis-vs-mitosis-gif.gifIntro to Meiosis with a comparison to Mitosis

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Amoeba Sisters Videos:

DNA, RNA, & Crime, Oh My! (Modified Snorks Activity)

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This is a fun and creative activity to tie all of the following concepts together into one lesson: DNA sequencing & transcription, mRNA translation, amino acid codons & proteins, genotype, phenotype, recessive & dominant alleles & traits.

 

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Students will help solve a crime based on DNA evidence left on a lollipop at the crime scene. There are 3 versions of the same scenario that will identify 3 different criminals so you can use them for 3 classes – this avoids having the kids tell the next class who the suspect is ;). Each student will receive one of the 4 DNA samples – you can have students work individually, or have a group of students work on suspect 1, another on suspect 2, etc. (Sorry – I do not have an answer key to post)

Directions: Worksheets: DNA-RNA-Crime-Snorks-2018 & Amino Acid Codon Wheel, & additional resource: 20 Amino Acids

  • Step 1 – students will transcribe the DNA sequences into mRNA sequences
  • Step 2 – using the Amino Acid codon wheel, they will determine the amino acid for each codon
  • Step 3 – using the chart, they will find protein using the sequence of amino acids
  • Step 4 – using the proteins, they will determine the phenotype
  • Step 5 – using the phenotypes, they will determine the genotype(s)
  • Step 6 – is their suspect the criminal?
  • Step 7 – they will draw a mug shot of their suspect using the phenotypes they decoded

This lesson was modified from the one found on Biology Corner: https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/DNA_snorks.html 

 

Meiosis & DNA Cheat Sheets – Free

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Updated 11.25.18 – click links for most updated versions:

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I made these cheat sheets for my 7s to help them with our Meiosis and DNA unit. These are two of the most complex topics we cover in Life Science and it helps them synthesize all of the information into one page.

Screen Shot 2017-12-08 at 12.12.21 PM

Download these free PDFs below:

DNA Cheat Sheet – 2017 – Google Docs – this covers the fundamentals of DNA at a 7th grade level

Meiosis Summary Cheat Sheet – 2017 – this covers the basics of Meiosis along with a comparison to Mitosis at each stage for a 7th grade level

 

 

DNA – Paper Protein Chains Activity

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DNA-paper-protein-chains
Making protein chains – In this example, the color code is different than posted in the lesson, it was a prototype

Purpose:

  • Students will convert their name into a DNA sequence and create a protein chain.

Materials:

  • Student Handout (DNAPaperProteinChainsActivity)
  • Amino Acid Handout (link)
  • pre-cut 2 inch wide strips of construction paper  (12×18) in the following colors – red*, pink, yellow, orange*, green, lt. blue, dk.blue, and black*
    • (*) be sure to have more of these colors since they are vowels
    • I used a paper cutter and was able to make a lot of strips very quickly ahead of time
  • markers
  • staplers
  • clothes pins and string to hang up in classroom

 

25398918_863734253808_1620785906939523613_n
Protein Chains made by M.P.’s class Dec. 2017

Procedures:

  1. This activity should be used after DNA and protein synthesis has been introduced. This activity will help reinforce the concept of how the sequence of DNA codons create specific amino acids, and in turn, the amino acids are joined together to create specific proteins. (link)
  2. Each student will write the letters from their first and last name onto the student handout.
  3. Using the chart, they will find the amino acid associated with the first letter of their first name.
  4. For example, if the first letter is “L”, it will code for Leucine. They will select one of the codons for Leucine and write it on their chart.
  5. Write the color of the paper link they will need for “L”, in this case, it is Red.
  6. Repeat for every letter in their name.
  7. Once their handout is completed, they will select the colored links, one for each letter of their name.
  8. The colored links will be placed in the same order as the letters in their name.
  9. On each link, write one of the codons for that letter. For example, “L” would be “CTT” on a Red link.
  10. Loop and staple the first letter of their name.
  11. Weave through the second letter and staple the loop closed.
  12. Continue until all the letters have been linked together.
  13. Hang up the protein chain, be sure to have the first letter of their name at the top.
  14. Look for patterns – what color was used the most? Which group of amino acids was it? Which group of amino acids was used the least? Who had the longest name? Etc.

Protein Synthesis (link)