Learning Outcomes

Global Curriculum Outcomes:

Science, Technology, Society, and the Environment: Students will develop an understanding of the nature of science and technology, of the relationships between science and technology, and of the social and environmental contexts of science and technology.

Skills: Students will develop the skills required for scientific and technological inquiry, for solving problems, for communicating scientific ideas and results, for working collaboratively, and for making informed decisions.

Knowledge: Students will construct knowledge and understandings of concepts in life science, physical science, and Earth and space science, and apply these understandings to interpret, integrate, and extend their knowledge.

Specific Curriculum Outcomes:

Students will be expected to....

Molecular Level:

  • Summarize the discoveries, including the role of evidence, that led to the modern concept of the gene (315-1, 114-2)

  • Identify and describe the roles of chromosomes in the transmission of hereditary information from one cell to another (315-2)

  • Explain how the current model of DNA replication, the structure of DNA and RNA, and protein synthesis revolutionized thinking in scientific communities (315-4, 315-5, 115-3)

  • Describe and predict the effects of genetic mutations on a cell’s information, including protein synthesis, phenotypes, and heredity (315-6, 315-7)

Implications:

  • Explain the circumstances that lead to genetic diseases (315-8)

  • Analyze the risks and benefits to society and the environment and construct arguments concerning the use of genetic engineering, using examples and evidence from various perspectives (118-2, 315- 9, 118-6)

  • Analyze, describe, and evaluate genetics-based technology development, design, and solutions (116- 4, 116-6)

  • Explain and analyze, from a variety of perspectives, the risks and benefits of the influence of the Human Genome Project (315-10, 117-2)

  • Investigate, perform, and defend a position or course of action on genetic modification, integrating various sources and science- and technology-based careers (215-5, 117-7, 213-7)

In modern terms, by the end of these lessons, students will be able to...


  1. Label the components of the double helix model of DNA

  2. Explain the current model of DNA replication

  3. Understand the roles various enzymes play in the process of DNA replication

  4. Be able to determine the corresponding bases on a DNA strand

  5. Compare and contrast DNA and RNA (structure and function)

  6. Predict the effects of mutations of protein synthesis

  7. Outline the stages of protein synthesis

  8. Identify the three types of RNA

  9. Provide examples and the function of post-transcriptional modifications

  10. Compare the process of transcription and translation

  11. Compare a codon and anticodon

  12. Convert DNA to RNA to protein (through the amino acid sequence)

  13. Explain the role of restriction enzymes

  14. Discuss how restriction enzymes are used in natural and biotechnology