1 Discovering Nucleic Acids Carolina Biological Supply # $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. 2

3 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

4 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

6 Learning 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.

7 Important Terms Amino acid Amino acid Anticodon Anticodon Codon Codon Complementary Complementary Double helix Double helix DNA DNA mRNA mRNA Nucleotide Nucleotide Peptide bonds Peptide bonds RNA RNA Transcription Transcription Translation Translation tRNA tRNA

8 Overview of Activities 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.

9 Overview of Activities 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.

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

Student Groups 1. work in groups of 3 or each student group will get the following materials. 30 beads of each color 30 connector pieces 23 amino acid links, with labels colored pencils scissors tape

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