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Science · Grade 9

DNA, Gene Expression and Biotechnology

Learners model DNA's structure and its semi-conservative replication, then follow a gene to a protein by transcribing DNA and translating mRNA with a codon table. They classify mutations and predict their effects, explain how genes are switched on and off, and finish with the science and ethics of PCR, gel electrophoresis and gene editing.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 125 minutes
  • DNA and gene expression check: 12 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, type a number and put in order
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What learners will discover

  • Describe DNA's structure (nucleotides, double helix, complementary base pairing), apply base-pairing rules and explain semi-conservative replication.
  • Transcribe DNA into mRNA and translate mRNA into a polypeptide with a codon table, explaining the roles of mRNA, tRNA and ribosomes.
  • Classify mutations (silent, missense, nonsense, frameshift) and predict their effects on proteins and phenotypes.
  • Explain how gene expression is regulated, using transcription factors and the lac operon, and how environment can affect phenotype.
  • Explain how PCR, gel electrophoresis and gene editing work, calculate PCR amplification, and distinguish scientific claims from ethical questions about their use.

Lessons

  1. The structure of DNA and how it copies itself 9 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
  2. From gene to protein 9 steps6 practiceabout 28 min
  3. Mutations and their effects 8 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
  4. Switching genes on and off 8 steps5 practiceabout 22 min
  5. Biotechnology and its ethics 8 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
  6. DNA and gene expression check 12 questions at the end

Keep exploring

More 9th grade science

Guide for grown-ups