Download Chapter 12 Learning Objectives

Honors Biology – Chapter 12 (DNA and RNA): Learning Objectives
By the end of the chapter, students should be able to complete the numbered “Learning Objectives”.
Name
Date
1. Demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines by turning in assignments on time.
2. Demonstrate an ability to use appropriate grammar and spelling and to make corrections as necessary.
Essential Question A. What does DNA look like, and how do we know that?
3. Describe how DNA can be removed from a cell (steps necessary to remove it from the cell and get it in solution)
and what DNA looks like without the aid of a microscope.
4. Explain what Franklin, Watson & Crick discovered about the structure of DNA (and the implications)
5. Describe the overall structure of the DNA molecule (how the 3 basic components of DNA are arranged)
6. Explain that DNA contains four nitrogenous bases and how they pair together
7. Explain how DNA is stored as chromosomes, using these terms: histone, nucleosome, chromatin (review)
8. Explain what the human genome is and how it was sequenced (in general terms)
Essential Question B: What is the function of DNA, and how does it work?
9. Explain that the genetic information responsible for inherited characteristics is encoded in the DNA molecules in
genes and chromosomes;
10. Summarize the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes (this is critical)
11. Explain that cells use the DNA that forms their genes to produce proteins
12. Explain that proteins have many functions, including:
a. Being responsible for expression of inherited traits (e.g., eye color)
b. Carrying out most cell functions (e.g. cell division, responding to the environment, cell transport, etc.)
13. Explain the steps of protein synthesis, including transcription and translation (be able to explain how DNA codes
for a single amino acid and entire protein chains of amino acids)
14. Explain the differences between the three types of RNA and explain their roles
15. Explain that changing the activity of proteins within cells and/or by changing whether and how often particular
genes are expressed (i.e. “regulating genes”) can change how cells function
16. Explain how most eukaryotic genes are generally regulated by understanding how promoters, the TATA box,
introns, exons and start/stop codons work together
Essential Question C: Given that humans begin as one cell but are now composed of
trillions of cells, how can cells make more DNA when they prepare to divide?
17. Summarize the events of DNA replication
18. Explain how the following enzymes are involved in DNA replication: DNA polymerase, helicase
Essential Question D: How are mistakes made during DNA replication, and what happens
when this occurs?
19. Explain what a mutation is, and be able to explain differences between types of mutations covered in class
20. Explain what can occur when a mutation to DNA results in the production of a different amino acid sequence
(including how a change in amino acids can affect protein shape);
21. Explain how “bad” proteins can cause genetic diseases/conditions
22. Explain reasons for and reasons against individuals being tested for the presence of genes that indicate an
increased likelihood of contracting a genetic disease or condition (like those in the “DNA to Disease” activity)
Essential Question E: What are some of the ways we can work with and manipulate DNA?
How can DNA manipulation of cells setting be used to solve human problems?
23. Explain what gel electrophoresis is generally, and how it can be used to separate molecules (including both DNA
and food coloring). Explain how size and charge affect this separation.
24. Explain how DNA gel electrophoresis can be used to compare different DNA samples generally
25. Explain what restriction enzymes are and what they do. Explain the term restriction fragments.
26. Be able to explain and demonstrate how to use restriction enzymes to cut a DNA molecule
27. Explain and be able to recognize the difference between gels containing whole molecules of DNA (e.g. entire
plasmids) and DNA molecules that have been cut by restriction enzymes
28. Be able to estimate the size of restriction fragments on gels using “DNA ladders” and semi-log plotting
29. Be able to determine if a DNA molecule contains a gene by digesting and then electrophoresing it.
30. Explain how inserting genes into model organisms can help us determine how proteins function.