Hands-on Activity Inside the DNA

Quick Look

Grade Level: 10 (9-12)

Time Required: 45 minutes

Expendable Cost/Group: US $0.00

Group Size: 1

Activity Dependency:

Subject Areas: Biology

NGSS Performance Expectations:

NGSS Three Dimensional Triangle
HS-LS1-1

Two images of spherical objects, one orange and spiky, one blue and bumpy. Photo of a computer screen image shows squarish blue blobs on a black background—agarose gel electrophoresis being used to visualize DNA extracts.
Two false color scanning electron microscope images of pollen particles. Scientists use gel electrophoresis to separate pieces of DNA. The bright "bands" on this gel are DNA fragments; the bands on the far sides are DNA-size markers.
copyright
Copyright © (top left) Charles Daghlian, Dartmouth College via NASA, (top right), Sophie Warny and Kate Griener, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge via NASA, (bottom) NOAA http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/sickness_from_space_chat_prt.htm http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/beechpollen.html http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03bio/logs/sept10/media/lasonolide3.html

Summary

Students conduct their own research to discover and understand the methods designed by engineers and used by scientists to analyze or validate the molecular structure of DNA, proteins and enzymes, as well as basic information about gel electrophoresis and DNA identification. In this computer-based activity, students investigate particular molecular imaging technologies, such as x-ray, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and create short PowerPoint presentations that address key points. The presentations include their own explanations of the difference between molecular imaging and gel electrophoresis.
This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Engineering Connection

Visualization of small structures such as molecular structures of complex proteins and genetic material (DNA) is based on engineering discoveries and breakthroughs in physics at small scales. Imaging technologies such as x-ray and scanning electron microscopy—used in by scientists and engineers to image microscopic structures—are also used by biomedical engineers and biologists to study biomolecules, cells and tissue samples.

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:

  • Enumerate some of the imaging technologies used for atomic scale microscopy.
  • List the basic, underlying principles of the researched microscopy method.
  • Describe how the microscopy method helped scientists to discover the structure of biomolecules.
  • Explain the difference between molecular imaging and DNA gel electrophoresis.
  • Explain that certain nucleotide base sequences in the DNA encode for proteins/enzymes whereas the molecular shape of protein/enzyme determines their function.

Educational Standards

Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.

All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).

In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.

NGSS Performance Expectation

HS-LS1-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells. (Grades 9 - 12)

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This activity focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:
Science & Engineering Practices Disciplinary Core Ideas Crosscutting Concepts
Construct an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students' own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Alignment agreement:

Systems of specialized cells within organisms help them perform the essential functions of life.

Alignment agreement:

All cells contain genetic information in the form of DNA molecules. Genes are regions in the DNA that contain the instructions that code for the formation of proteins, which carry out most of the work of cells.

Alignment agreement:

Investigating or designing new systems or structures requires a detailed examination of the properties of different materials, the structures of different components, and connections of components to reveal its function and/or solve a problem.

Alignment agreement:

  • Students will develop an understanding of the relationships among technologies and the connections between technology and other fields of study. (Grades K - 12) More Details

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  • The sciences of biochemistry and molecular biology have made it possible to manipulate the genetic information found in living creatures. (Grades 9 - 12) More Details

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  • Connect technological progress to the advancement of other areas of knowledge and vice versa. (Grades 9 - 12) More Details

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  • analyze the levels of organization in biological systems and relate the levels to each other and to the whole system. (Grades 9 - 11) More Details

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  • identify components of DNA, and describe how information for specifying the traits of an organism is carried in the DNA; (Grades 9 - 11) More Details

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  • describe how techniques such as DNA fingerprinting, genetic modifications, and chromosomal analysis are used to study the genomes of organisms. (Grades 9 - 11) More Details

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Materials List

Each student needs:

  • computer with Internet connection, for research work
  • PowerPoint software, for preparing slide presentations

Pre-Req Knowledge

Basic knowledge about genetics: DNA, the four nucleotide bases and the base pairing rules, DNA double helix structure.

Introduction/Motivation

(This activity follows the associated lesson, so first present the lesson's Introduction/Motivation section, followed by a class discussion on the related bioscience, as provided in the lesson's Teacher Background section. Then proceed with the following Introduction/Motivation and the research activity.)

What are the methods currently used by scientists to analyze or validate the molecular structure of DNA, proteins and enzymes? How have scientists figured out the complex shapes of DNA or hemoglobin? How do we know what they look like? Is it possible to look at the crystalline structure of molecules? (Listen to student ideas gleaned from the associated lesson.) Using conventional microscopes is not enough to see at the atomic scale. Instead, engineers and scientists have devised more complex technologies. Some examples of molecular imaging methods include: x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, magnetic resonance force microscopy, etc. These molecular imaging technologies are able to provide information about the structures.

If we want to know more, molecular imaging is unable to provide information about the genetic code contained by the DNA or RNA. These various imaging methods do not provide information about the content of the DNA, that is, the particular sequences of nucleotide bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine). And, molecular imaging cannot be used to compare two segments of DNA to tell if they are identical or not. In order to analyze the content of DNA segments or to compare them requires a different approach than just visualizing the DNA structure.

For that task, gel electrophoresis is a relatively simple and inexpensive method designed to analyze DNA molecules and determine their sequences. Gel electrophoresis is based on the motility of polarized molecules in agarose gel when an electric current is applied. To do this, DNA segments are introduced in a gel solution and the segments travel through the gel as en electric current is applied. Depending on size and composition, the DNA segments travel at different speeds (very low speeds) with similar segments traveling at similar rates. So gel electrophoresis is way to analyze and compare DNA segments without looking at the DNA's actual molecular structure. With gel electrophoresis, scientists can compare DNA segments and determine their molecular weight.

So what is the difference between these two methods: molecular imaging and gel electrophoresis? (Listen to student responses to gauge their understanding.) Both methods are used to analyze proteins, enzymes and genetic molecules (DNA, RNA), and are usually used in conjunction. Molecular imaging is used to determine molecular structure, while gel electrophoresis is used to determine molecular composition.

We've mentioned many different molecular imaging technologies. But how do they work? What are the basic principles behind them? Let's find out more.

Procedure

With the Students

  1. Present to the class the content of the Introduction/Motivation section.
  2. Research Part 1: From the list below, assign (or let students choose) microscopy technologies to research. The list includes suggested online resources to get them started. Direct students to build presentations from their findings. Inform them of the required presentation components (see the Assessment section.) Give students time to conduct the internet research and compose a slide presentation.
  1. Research Part 2: Have students look for information on DNA gel electrophoresis and each prepare a slide describing how it works and its application to DNA analysis and comparison. A useful place to start researching about DNA electrophoresis is: https://www.jove.com/science-education/5057/dna-gel-electrophoresis
  2. Presentations: Have students give their presentations to the rest of the class. If time is limited, at a minimum allow time for one presentation on each of the seven different technologies, so the rest of the class learns about all of them. Have all students turn in their presentations to the teacher for grading. Evaluate each student's presentation based on meeting the criteria listed in the Assessment section.

Vocabulary/Definitions

crystalline structure: A unique arrangement of atoms or molecules in a crystalline liquid or solid.

DNA: Acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid. A self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes.

protein: Any of a group of complex organic macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and usually sulfur, and are composed of one or more chains of amino acids.

RNA: Acronym for ribonucleic acid. A nucleic acid present in all living cells. Its principal role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins.

Assessment

Post-Activity Assessment

Research Presentations: Evaluate student presentations of their imaging research findings as a summative assessment for the activity and its associated lesson. Challenge students to be clear and concise, providing the required information in no more than 10 slides. Require each presentation to contain the following components, and evaluate accordingly.

  • date when the method/technology was invented
  • physical phenomena involved (how it works, for example: electron scattering, nanosized probe/detector, resonant frequency, without providing too many details; summarize the basic concepts)
  • spatial resolution (the size of the smallest object that can be observed)
  • engineering and technical challenges and break-throughs (such as the design of special detectors or microscopic probes)
  • accomplishments in imaging DNA/proteins (what it has enabled scientists to discover/see)
  • example images of DNA, proteins or other biological macromolecules obtained with the visualization method
  • description of DNA gel electrophoresis technology
  • explanation of the difference between molecular imaging and DNA electrophoresis
  • list of sources and their URLs

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Copyright

© 2013 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original © 2012 University of Houston

Contributors

Mircea Ionescu; Myla Van Duyn

Supporting Program

National Science Foundation GK-12 and Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Programs, University of Houston

Acknowledgements

This digital library content was developed by the University of Houston's College of Engineering under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant number DGE 0840889. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the NSF and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Last modified: March 29, 2022

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