In this activity students build protein bracelets using beads with different colors and shapes that represent the different amino acids.

This resource goes with the lesson plan "Alien Encounters -- Transcription and Translation" . Students can use this resource to look up the DNA sequence for a specific disease of their choice, then enter the DNA sequence and find the amino acid sequence for the disease. Students can prepare a poster of a disease which would include information about the disease, the DNA sequence, RNA strand and amino acid chain.

In this advanced lesson, students use amino acids sequences from the rock pocket mouse genome to illustrate the different levels of protein structure and the relationship between a protein's structure and function.

Although bioinformatics usually involves huge computers and sequencing machines, the methods of this new science can be presented by means of simple classroom activities to be carried out with pencil and paper. The author of this activity challenges us with the building of the family tree of humans and other primates on the basis of the genetic differences between short (fake) DNA sequences. The proposed activity can be profitably (and enjoyably) exploited in secondary schools to address some tricky biology topics such as the use of molecular clocks in the study of evolution.

In this video, NC Virtual educator, Brandi, presents on transcription with the aid of a light board to present key concepts to students.

In this lesson, students identify the primary components in a DNA structure and describe the role of DNA in trait inheritance.

In this lesson, students will be able to define selective breeding and describe how selective breeding changes a population over time.

This resource is a lab in which students are given a hypothetical DNA sequence for part of an enzyme. Using the universal genetic code, they will then determine the amino acid sequence coded for by the DNA. Differently shaped lego blocks will represent different amino acids. Students will construct the enzyme using legos.

This hands-on activity is designed for students to demonstrate the concepts of bonding amino acids to create proteins, and to model protein synthesis. This activity cab be used as an assessment of the students' understanding of peptide and disulfide bonds formed during protein synthesis, and the structure of an amino acid (R-group plus the common structure that all amino acids share). Students will demonstrate the process of dehydration synthesis by combining amino acids. They will synthesize one molecule of the protein ADH (antidiuretic hormone) by reading the mRNA sequence, cutting out the -OH on the carboxyl group on amino acid one, and the -H on the amino group of amino acid two. These two pieces (-OH and -H) will combine to form a water molecule. The students will connect the two amino acids by taping a peptide bond label between the carbon of the carboxyl and the nitrogen of the amino group on amino acid. This process is continued until the stop codon on the mRNA is read. If the synthesis is done correctly, the student will produce eight peptide bonds creating one chain, and eight molecules of water. If this activity is used for biology, the tRNA, and rRNA molecules can be added to the process.

The teaching activities in this article aim to actively involve students in a search for mutations that could potentially lead to cancer development, using real genomic data.

This lesson emphasizes the relationship between DNA sequences, mutations in DNA and the change in the resulting protein structure and function. Hemophilia A will be used as a real life example of how a mutation in DNA results in a change in a protein's structure and resulting ability to function. In order to complete these activities, the students should have prior knowledge in DNA structure and mutations, protein synthesis, Mendelian genetics and sex-linked traits.

Students are asked to crack a code of different sequences of letters using the messages that those sequences encode. In each of the first three steps, each team is given a different set of letter sequences and corresponding messages. At each step, they will need to re-evaluate their conclusions from the previous steps, and modify their solution to the code. All groups will be working to crack the same code, using different examples. Students should focus on finding patterns and relationships. The crux of the activity is the existence of the code rather than the details of transcription and translation, which can be addressed in subsequent lessons.

In this exercise, students will explore the structure of a DNA repair protein found in most species, including bacteria. DNA repair proteins move along DNA strands, checking for mistakes or damage. DNA glycosylases, a specific type of DNA repair protein, recognize DNA bases that have been chemically altered and remove them, leaving a site in the DNA without a base. Other proteins then come along to fill in the missing DNA base.

Students will complete a virtual lab on DNA mutations. Mutations involve a physical change to genetic material that results in the abnormal encoding of protein sequences. The students will complete mRNA and protein sequences based on the information provided. The students will identify the number of amino acids changed and how they think this mutation will impact the organism.

This educational activity uses everyday materials to simulate a microarray experiment in the classroom. The game simulates the different steps that researchers take in performing microarray experiments and in analysing the results. The activity can be used to complement lessons on genetics, cell development and genetic diseases.

This lesson focuses on how cancer is caused by mutations that accumulate over time in cells' DNA, how the genes mutated in cancer are involved in normal cell growth & division, and how different types of mutations affect the functions of these genes.

Fundamentals of Biology focuses on the basic principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and recombinant DNA. These principles are necessary to understanding the basic mechanisms of life and anchor the biological knowledge that is required to understand many of the challenges in everyday life, from human health and disease to loss of biodiversity and environmental quality.

In this exercise, students will use the StarBiochem and StarORF software tools to explore the sequence of the GFP gene and the structure of its protein and the fluorophore that accounts for GFP's fluorescence.

In this exercise, students will explore how a single alteration in the amino acid sequence of the hemoglobin protein results in sickle cell anemia.

Students learn how the code on a strand of DNA can be used to make a protein. Each section of the tutorial includes quiz questions that can be answered and then printed at the end of the activity.