DNA
DNA
Chromosomes are coiled DNA. The DNA has the code necessary to direct cellular activity.
Learning Objective: Describe the structure of the DNA macromolecule, including how the structure of DNA relates to cellular function.
Chromosomes contain DNA, and the DNA is the substance of heredity that is passed from one generation to the next by eggs and sperm.
Explaining how DNA could code for the complexity of life was one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the twentieth century.
Science happens in the context of society and technology. This is the first of two videos that will contextualize the discovery of DNA structure.
Watch this video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.
What did Rosalind Franklin’s work suggest about the structure of the DNA molecule?
An effective way to understand the structure of DNA is to use a model. The model does not need to be expensive or elaborate, it just need to include the key components.
Watch this video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.
Now that the structure of DNA had been determined, the next step was to figure out how the base code T-G-C-A actually related to what cells were producing.
Watch this video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.
Models are essential is representing concepts that are otherwise difficult to visualize.
This video gives examples of DNA models, you will be designing your own model for this guide’s media piece.
Start Your Media Assignment here
Models are used extensively in science to represent challenging concepts. Models can reduce complexity and enable us to interact with a world that may not fit our time or physical scale.
For this assignment you are creating your own model of a science concept. It could be your own model of DNA, or a completely different science concept. Your model can be two-dimensional like a sketch, three-dimensional like a sculpture (we’ve seen them in snow, jello, and even collaged leaves), or multi-media like a video. The key is to represent a science concept in an original way.
Think like a teacher for this one. Imagine you are teaching a particularly challenging concept and consider how you can simplify the concept into an interesting form. A model does not need to be elaborate to be effective; there are examples of everyday materials you can use on the resources page.
What you are submitting:
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Your created model of a science concept. The model can be a photo, video, audio, sketch, or written description.
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Include a brief description of your model. This can be part of what you upload, or a note in the comment box.
The next section relates chromosomes and DNA to the processes of mitosis and meiosis.
Check your knowledge – DNA
Review your notes. Do you understand how DNA is structured what that structure directs the cell to produce? If so, move forward to the next page.
Learning Objective:
Describe the structure of the DNA macromolecule, including how the structure of DNA relates to cellular function.
Chromosomes Page
Go forward to the Mitosis & Meiosis Page
Life Cycles Contents
Complete all five of these sections before taking the quiz and submitting your media piece.
This Module
6: Why is it here now?
This Guide
6A: Life Cycles
Products Information
6A: Quiz & Media
