Page 1
Concept Presentation:
DeoxyriboNucleic Acid
Stuart Lithwick
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00775/dna.jpg&imgrefurl=http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00775/&usg=__gf9gT6BlZvx5BLkpmyB_RXSTbIY=&h=320&w=320&sz=30&hl=en&start=19&sig2=9G_ooEWlaxdRIRxdMJqA2Q&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=bcdTHsoIeOWNNM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3DDNA,%2Bphoto%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=IAI9TJynK9KQnAf_n4neDg
Page 2
DNA is the recipe for all life on earth...
present and past!
Page 4
http://www.csb.yale.edu/userguides/graphics/ribbons/help/dna_rgb.gif
Page 5
Miller et al., 2008
Page 6
Why is DNA important to us?
• DNA are the instructions used to build all living things (including us)!
• The Future of Medicine Genetic Medicine!• Ethical discussions!
Page 7
Why may DNA be important to our students?
• DNA is everywhere!!– News: Human Genome Project! Stem Cell Research!– Public Media: e.g. Television, Radio,
Internet!– Ethics!
• Careers in Medicine and Genetics
Page 8
Why do our students care about DNA?
• DNA is an ongoing Toronto story!
–World-class DNA-based research is happening...
RIGHT HERE!!!
Page 9
Our students need to have the tools to think critically!
• The world is changing faster than ever...
• We need to give our students the tools to be ready!
Page 10
DNA in the Ontario Curriculum
Grades 17 Grade 8
Structure & Function in Plants
and AnimalsThe Cell
3.2, 3.3
Page 11
DNA in the Ontario Curriculum
Grade 10 Science (Academic) (SNC2D)
Cells &
Tissues
Cell Cycle &
Mitosis
B3.2 B2.2, B3.1
Page 12
DNA in the Ontario Curriculum
Grade 10 Science (Applied) (SNC2P)
Cells &
TissuesCell Cycle
B3.2 B3.1
Page 13
DNA in the Ontario Curriculum
Grade 11 Biology (Academic) (SBI3U)
Introduction to DNA &
GenesMeiosis
D3.2 D3.1
Page 14
DNA in the Ontario Curriculum
Grade 12 Biology (Academic) (SBI4U)
DNA Structure In-Depth
Molecular Biology
B3.2 D3.1, D3.2, D3.3, D3.6
Page 15
DNA in the Ontario Curriculum
Grade 12 Biology (Academic) (SBI4U)
DNA Replication
Transcription &
Translation
D3.1 D3.2, D3.3
Page 16
Today’s Concept Presentation:
DNA Structure
Page 17
A little from Column A, a little from Column B...
Grade 12 Biology (Academic) (SBI4U)
Grade 11 Biology (Academic) (SBI3U)
D3.2 B3.2
Page 18
Misconceptions1) Since cells are small, the amount of DNA in each cell is not large.
2) DNA looks like a double-helix when it is examined either under a microscope or with the naked eye.
Page 19
Challenges1) Making students comfortable with the structure of the DNA molecule (Can be complex)
2) Maintaining accuracy while writing out DNA sequences
3) Calculating the frequency of bases within DNA sequences. (Numeracy)
Page 21
Where are we going?
The Animal Cell: A Diagnostic
DNA: The Recipe Book of Life
Lesson 1
Page 22
Where are we going?
Playing with DNA:
Detailed Structure of the DNA Molecule
Lesson 2
Page 23
Where are we going?
Counting Bases:
Nucleotide Frequency within DNA Molecules
Lesson 3
Page 24
Where are we going?
Let’s Become DNA!
Lab: Extracting DNA from Bananas
Lesson 4
Page 25
Where are we going?
The Grand Finale!
The Inevitable DNA Thinking Problem
Lesson 5
Page 26
How are we getting there?Alternative
Approaches to DNA Modeling
DNA Sequence Manipulatives
Interactive Dramatic Activities
Laboratory Activities
Page 27
How are we making sure everyone is on track?
Assessment for learning
Assessment of learning
Diagnostic Activities
Drawing of DNA Models
Nucleotide Frequency Practice Problems
Assembly of DNA Models
Page 28
How are we making sure everyone has made it?
Summative Evaluation
The Inevitable DNA Thinking Problem
Page 30
Lesson 1
The Animal Cell: A Diagnostic
DNA: The Recipe Book of Life
Page 31
The Animal Cell: A Diagnostic
• The Goal: To assess who in the class remembers the structures of an animal cell (From Grade 8)
• Most important part: The Nucleus!
Page 32
The Animal Cell: A Diagnostic
• The Approach:– Hand out blank sheets of paper
– Ask students to draw an animal cell with as much detail as possible
Page 33
The Animal Cell: A Diagnostic
• The Approach:– Have peers exchange papers and
mark– Select one student to draw the
animal cell on the board with help from peers
Page 34
The Animal Cell: A Diagnostic
• The Approach:– Collect all of the papers as
students exit class
- Assessment for learning!
Page 35
DNA: The Recipe Book of Life
• The Goal: To introduce DNA as the recipe book of life in a creative way
• Achieved using analogies!
Page 36
DNA: The Recipe Book of Life
+ =
+ =
Page 37
DNA: The Instructions for Building Life
+ =
+ =
Page 38
So how much DNA is there really per
cell?
Page 39
What is the total length of DNA in every cell?
2 metres10 trillion cells
per body
What is the total length of DNA in the entire human body?
Page 40
Enough to travel from earth to the sun and back 35X!
1 Billion km!
Page 41
Take home messages from lesson 1!
• DNA is found in the nucleus.
• DNA are the instructions for life.
• There is an enormous amount of DNA in every cell.
Page 42
Lesson 2
Playing with DNA:
Detailed Structure of the DNA Molecule
Page 43
Structure of the DNA Molecule
• Challenge: Help students become comfortable with the structure of the DNA molecule...• How?
• Magnetics & Manipulatives!
Page 44
Magnetics & Manipulatives!
• Teacher – Uses magnetics on the board
• Students – Use sets of manipulatives at their desks.
Page 45
Concepts Taught
• DNA is a double-stranded molecule
• DNA is made up of 4 types of compounds called nucleotides–A, G, C, T – A binds T and G binds C
Page 46
Concepts Taught
• Each nucleotide is made up of 3 parts:
Sugar
BaseP Shapes reduce the complexity of the molecules... Can be less intimidating... But still have function!
Page 47
Assessment for Learning:Building DNA Models!
1) CanDNA – Candy DNA2) BeaDNA – Bead DNA3) Origami DNA
Page 48
Let`s try it out!
Page 49
1) CanDNA
• Advantages: - Great for kinaesthetic learners and visual learners (colourful)
- Includes all parts of the DNA molecule
- Fun!
- Edible!
Page 50
2) BeaDNA
• Advantages: - Also great for kinaesthetic learners and visual learners (colourful)
• Disadvantages:
- Not as detailed (just backbone and bases)
- Much smaller
Page 51
3) Origami DNA
• Advantages: - Great for kinaesthetic learners and visual learners (colourful)
• Disadvantages:
- Much more difficult- Takes a much longer time
Page 52
Exit Key Assessment of Learning:Drawing of the DNA Models
• Students have to:
1) Sketch the DNA molecules that they have built and label parts discussed in class.
2) Answer the question: It is often said DNA resembles a ladder. Explain using information learned in class.
- Collected at the end of class...- Why both? Differentiated assessment!
Page 53
Lesson 3
Counting Bases:
Nucleotide Frequency within DNA Molecules
Page 55
Diagnostic Assessment of Learning
• Students are asked to answer one of two questions:
1) What would be the sequence of the opposite strand for the following DNA molecule?
2) Identify the mistakes present in the following DNA molecule. Why are these mistakes?
• Assessments are evaluated by peers, as students complete questions on the board
Page 56
Nucleotide Frequency in DNA
• Challenge: Help students become more comfortable with nucleotide frequency calculations.
• How?
• Back to Manipulative kits!
Page 57
Example question:
• What is the frequency of G in the following double-stranded DNA sequence.
GATTCAGCAGTCACTAAGTCGTCAGT
Try it out!
Page 58
Example question:
• What is the frequency of G in the following double-stranded DNA sequence.
GATTCAGCAGTCACTAAGTCGTCAGT
6 Gs out of 26 bases = 23% G
Page 59
The Teaching Approach:
• Example Question 1) Teacher demonstrates approach to solving, Students follow.
• Example Question 2) Students attempt question independently. Student takes up the question (with teachers help as needed).
• Example Question 3) Student demonstrates approach to solving with help from others. Students follow.
Page 60
The Reason:
• Quickly puts the power in the hands of the students
• Lets students take responsibility for their own learning
Page 61
Assessment for Learning – Practice Problems
• 5- question problem set completed independently in class
• Collected as an exit key
Page 62
Lesson 4
Let’s Become DNA!
Lab: Extracting DNA from Bananas
Page 63
Extracting DNA from Bananas!
• This lab lets students see actual DNA from bananas with the naked eye!
• No harmful chemicals, and a simple approach.
Page 64
Lab Safety
• Note: Students must be briefed on WHMIS, and lab safety
procedures before the lab begins.
Page 65
The Approach: Become DNA while extracting Banana DNA!
• Begin the Banana lab...
• While the Banana DNA is being filtered in the refrigerator...
Become DNA!
Page 66
Assessment of Learning: Becoming DNA!
• Students, given a base, phosphate, or sugar, must assemble themselves into DNA in under 2 minutes!
• Inter-class competitions for best time!
Page 67
Option: DNA Frequency!
• 2 students must figure out nucleotide frequencies in the DNA assembled by their classmates!
Page 68
Advantages:
• Great for the kinesthetic learners!• Fosters cooperation and teamwork!• Allows students to connect with the
DNA molecule at a different level!• A lot of fun!
Page 69
Lesson 5
The Grand Finale!
The Inevitable DNA Thinking Problem
Page 70
Summative AssessmentThe DNA Thinking Problem!
• Approach: Present in a way that students have never seen before.
• Should incorporate as much of the information covered as possible.
Page 71
Summative AssessmentThe DNA Thinking Problem!
• e.g. The nucleotide frequencies in a DNA molecule are 11% G, 44% T, 44% A, and 11% C. Draw a DNA molecule of 24 bp or
more, which fits these characteristics. Include all parts of nucleotides as drawn in class.
Page 72
Applications & Societal Implications
• Ethics of access to DNA information (To Know or not to Know)
• Cloning
• Stem Cells
• Gene Therapy
Page 73
Concept Presentation:
Questions?
Stuart Lithwick
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00775/dna.jpg&imgrefurl=http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00775/&usg=__gf9gT6BlZvx5BLkpmyB_RXSTbIY=&h=320&w=320&sz=30&hl=en&start=19&sig2=9G_ooEWlaxdRIRxdMJqA2Q&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=bcdTHsoIeOWNNM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3DDNA,%2Bphoto%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=IAI9TJynK9KQnAf_n4neDg