Download DNA, lesson 1

Class: Biology
___________________________________________________________________
Lesson Topic: DNA Structure
Class Period:
Lesson Objectives:
S:Ls1:11:3.1 – Describe the chemical and structural properties
of DNA and explain its role in identifying the characteristics of an organism
Prior Knowledge Assumed: DNA is located within the nucleus; every individual
has a unique DNA sequence.
Materials: Gumdrops, lemon drops, toothpicks, articles
Evaluation:
Homework: article
on artificial
chromosomes and
summary
on artificial chromosomes, formative assessment
questionnaire
Intelligences Addressed: Linguistic, Logical/ Mathematical, Spatial,
Musical, Bodily/Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal
Pyramid
Agenda

What
some
students
will
learn:


What
most
students
will
learn:

What
all
students
should
learn:
Formative Assessment: question sheet about DNA
(5-10 minutes) – work on individually then go
over as a class
Video – Learn DNA with Poetry
Lecture with sheet – 30-45 minutes
o DNA structure – double helix, sugarphosphate backbone
o Purines, pyrimidines, and
complementary base pairing
o DNA in nucleus –
chromosomes/chromatin
o Histones (video: How DNA is packaged
within the cell)
o Genes
Activity: DNA structure activity using gumdrops
and toothpicks (20-30 minutes) – have students
see if they can do it on their own, go around and
see how they are doing
o Each student makes 4 nucleotides, bring
together and make classroom DNA
molecule
Vocabulary
-Deoxyribonucleic acid
-purine
-pyrimidine
-chromosome
-histone
-gene
Pyramid of Knowledge
What some
students will
learn:
5’ and 3’
Purines match with pyrimidines
Sugar-phosphate backbone is covalently
Bonded
DNa strands are antiparallel,
which leads to a double
helix structure
What most
students will
learn:
DNA nucleotides are held
Together by weak hydrogen
Bonds
Chromosomes are in the form of chromatin until
cell division, when they condense to form chromatids
What all
students
should
learn:
DNA is located within the nucleus
Every individual has a unique DNA sequence
DNA has a phosphate-sugar backbone with nucleotides that
looks like a ladder
Complementary base-pairing rules
A-T
G-C
DNA takes the shape of a DNA double helix