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7: DNA

  • Page ID
    25142
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    In this activity, students extract DNA and relate the steps in the procedure to the characteristics of cells and biological molecules. Students learn key concepts about DNA function during the intervals required for the extraction procedure. Student understanding of DNA structure, function and replication is further developed by additional analysis and discussion questions and hands-on modeling of DNA replication.

    Several Activity Options:

    • 7.1: DNA Protocol
      Each cell in your body has a nucleus with multiple chromosomes. Each chromosome contains a DNA molecule. Each cell is surrounded by a cell membrane that regulates what gets into and out of the cell. The nucleus is also surrounded by a membrane. To extract DNA from human cells, you will need to break open the cell/nuclear membranes and separate the DNA from the other types of biological molecules in human cells. You will be using the same basic steps that biologists use when they extract DNA.
    • 7.2: DNA Teacher's Preparation Notes
      In this activity, students extract DNA from their cheek cells and relate the steps in the procedure to the characteristics of cells and biological molecules. Students learn key concepts about DNA function during the intervals required for the extraction procedure. Student understanding of DNA structure, function and replication is further developed by additional analysis and discussion questions and hands-on modeling of DNA replication.
    • 7.3: DNA Extraction
      DNA is the instruction manual for living things. By far, the greatest amount of DNA is located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and described as a double-helix. The double-stranded genetic blueprint runs antiparallel with bases bonding in a complementary fashion, ensuring that with every round of replication or transcription, a parent (or template) strand remains.

    Contributors and Attributions

    • By Drs. Ingrid Waldron and Jennifer Doherty, Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, CC-BY-NC 4.0.
    • By Dr. Sascha McKeon, Science Department, Blue Mountain Community College, CC-BY-NC 4.0.

    7: DNA is shared under a CC BY-NC license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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