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Subtopic: Molecular Mechanisms of DNA

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Resource	Grade Level	Media Type
Animal Body Plans: Homeobox Genes The homeobox genes that define the basic body plan of mice and fruit flies are illustrated in this graphic from The Human Evolution Coloring Book by Adrienne Zihlman. The accompanying article describes how these genes act as "molecular architects" in all animal species.	9-12	PDF Document
Bioengineered Foods? Students compare the processes of selective breeding and transgenic manipulation of plants. They consider the pros and cons of growing genetically modified crops.	9-12	Lesson Plan
Cell Transcription and Translation In this interactive activity adapted from the University of Nebraska, learn how and where transcription and translation occur within a cell and observe both processes in detail.	9-12	Flash Interactive
Chromosome Viewer This interactive feature provides a microscopic view of the 24 Human chromosomes. Each chromosome is labeled with the names of some of the genetic conditions and traits associated with particular regions on that chromosome.	9-12	Flash Interactive
The Common Genetic Code Paul Nurse describes his research that showed that humans share some genes with organisms as different from us as simple brewer's yeast. Footage from Secret of Life: "Immortal Thread."	9-12	QuickTime Video
Create a DNA Fingerprint Learn DNA profiling, the technique police use to catch the guilty and free the innocent. From NOVA: "The Killer's Trail" Web site.	6-12	Shockwave Interactive
Dab of DNA Helps Keep Counterfeiters at Bay Find out in this USA Today article how DNA sequences can vouch for a souvenir's authenticity.	9-12	PDF Document
Deadly Letters: The Anthrax Mystery In this media rich lesson plan from NOVA scienceNOW, student teams investigate a fictional anthrax case by modeling DNA sequencing and tracking down the guilty lab.	9-12	Lesson Plan
DNA Analysis Students interpret DNA fingerprints and learn how DNA analysis is changing the way we fight crime and disease.	6-8	Lesson Plan
DNA Evidence This audio segment is a National Public Radio story on New York State's DNA profiling of criminals.	9-12	QuickTime Audio
DNA Fingerprint Photos These photographs supplied by Genelex Corporation depict actual DNA fingerprints and show the types of information that can be gleaned from them.	9-12	PDF Document
DNA Makes History Read how DNA was used to solve the mystery of the Romanov family's execution. From Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications by Ricki Lewis.	9-12	PDF Document
DNA on the Witness Stand In this article, Dr. Eric Lander of the Human Genome Project comments on the use of DNA as an identification tool -- the theoretical versus the practical results.	9-12	PDF Document
DNA Workshop How does DNA perform those all-important functions of replication and protein synthesis? This interactive feature from the A Science Odyssey Web site will help you explore and understand the secrets of DNA.	9-12	Shockwave Interactive
Ethical Issues in the Human Genome Project Students work in teams to analyze a case study that raises arguments for and against patenting genetic code. They explore the implications of DNA databases, genetic screening and gene modification.	9-12	Lesson Plan
Explore a Stretch of Code Try your hand at reading a segment of genetic code in this interactive feature from the NOVA "Cracking the Code of Life" Web site.	9-12	Shockwave Interactive
The Expression of Genetic Information In this media-rich lesson, students explore the preservation and expression of genetic information within the cell. They analyze a short DNA sequence, translate an RNA sequence, and relate a sequence difference to a particular trait.	9-12	Lesson Plan
Forensic DNA Analysis This video segment from NOVA: "The Killer's Trail" investigates the potential for DNA evidence to solve murder cases, even those from the distant past.	9-12	QuickTime Video
Forensics Find out how DNA profilers analyze bits of tissue to identify human remains. From NOVA: "Lost on Everest" Web site.	9-12	HTML Document
From DNA to Protein This narrated animation schematically shows the process of protein synthesis. Adapted from Interactive NOVA: "Secret of Life."	9-12	QuickTime Video
Gel Electrophoresis This interactive activity from the Dolan DNA Learning Center illustrates the process of gel electrophoresis, in which DNA fragments are separated by size as they migrate at different rates through a gel matrix.	6-12	Flash Interactive
Genetic Art Take a peek at the artistic side of science in this virtual exhibit, featuring work by Eva Sutton, Alexis Rockman and Sidney Harris.	9-12	PDF Document
Genetics: Tour of the Basics In this interactive activity from the University of Utah, identify different kinds of genetic traits and how they are passed on from generation to generation. View examples of simple and complex trait inheritance.	6-12	Flash Interactive
Genetic Tool Kit The shared set of genes for body segments, possessed by all animals, are discussed in this video segment from Evolution: "Great Transformations."	6-12	QuickTime Video
Genetic Variation This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" explores the genetic similarities and differences among organisms.	9-12	QuickTime Video
How Cancer Grows Follow the growth of a carcinoma from initial mutation to widespread metastasis in this feature from the NOVA: "Cancer Warrior" Web site.	6-12	Flash Interactive
How DNA Evidence Works In this article by An Meeker-O'Connell, discover how DNA evidence is processed before it goes to court.	9-12	PDF Document
How DNA Replicates This narrated animation from Interactive NOVA: "The Secret of Life" illustrates DNA replication.	9-12	QuickTime Video
Human Genome Project This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" looks at the meaning and significance of the effort to decode the human genome.	6-12	QuickTime Video
The Human Genome Project Students learn about the Human Genome Project: the process, the functions of sections of DNA code, how knowledge of the human genome is being applied to medicine, and about genetic variation.	9-12	Lesson Plan
Journey into DNA Travel deep into the human body to see exactly where your DNA resides. From the NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" Web site.	6-12	Flash Interactive
Microbe Clock In this Evolution Web feature, learn how mutation and fast reproductive rates can allow deadly microbes to outpace medical breakthroughs.	9-12	Flash Interactive
Molecular Evidence for Evolutionary Relationships Students learn about the evolutionary relationship between humans and other organisms by comparing amino acid sequences in cytochrome c from a variety of species.	9-12	Lesson Plan
Molecular Level of Genetics Get down to the molecular nitty-gritty of DNA replication and protein synthesis in this article by Dennis O'Neil.	9-12	PDF Document
Mouse Party In this interactive activity from The University of Utah, examine the molecular mechanisms that affect the brains of mice on drugs. Learn how different drugs create different responses in the brain and alter the natural state of a mouse.	9-12	Flash Interactive
The Nuts and Bolts of DNA Replication In this animation from Secret of Life: "Immortal Thread," watch how DNA unzips and replicates under normal conditions, and how mistakes called mutations are incorporated into genes.	9-12	QuickTime Video
One Wrong Letter This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" describes the genetics of Tay-Sachs disease.	6-12	QuickTime Video
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis This video segment from NOVA: "18 Ways to Make a Baby" describes a technique used to determine the health of a developing embryo.	9-12	QuickTime Video
DNA and Protein Synthesis in the Cell Students learn about DNA replication, protein synthesis, molecular genetics and proteins in the human body.	9-12	Lesson Plan
Risky Genetics In this lesson from NOVA scienceNOW, students explore genetic testing for specific diseases, and consider the pros and cons of discovering a person's genotype for a particular disease.	9-12	Lesson Plan
RNAi Discovered In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn how RNAi, a mechanism that has evolved in cells to prevent viral infection, was discovered and how it works.	9-12	QuickTime Video
RNAi Explained Using scientific animations and illustrated metaphors, this interactive activity from NOVA scienceNOW explains RNAi and how it works.	9-12	Flash Interactive
RNAi Therapy In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about RNAi's potential to treat a wide range of genetic and infectious diseases.	9-12	QuickTime Video
Sequence for Yourself How do researchers read the tiny As, Gs, Ts, and Cs that comprise DNA? This step-by-step explanation shows you. From NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life."	9-12	Flash Interactive
Talking Bacteria In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, microbiologist Bonnie Bassler shares her discovery that bacteria coordinate group activity by communicating through chemical signals.	6-12	QuickTime Video
Teaching Evolution Case Studies: Marilyn Havlik Marilyn Havlik leads students through a simulation of the Hardy-Weinberg Principle to develop their understanding of population genetics.	9-12	QuickTime Video