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About DNA: Structure and function Virtual Lab Simulation
Your hair color, the curve of your smile, and even your likelihood of getting sick are at least in part determined by your DNA. But what is DNA made of, and how does it work? In this simulation, you will learn how DNA is structured and how DNA’s code translates to functional molecules called proteins.
Intern for a Science Magazine
You will work as an intern for a science magazine, Science Explained. One of the magazine’s readers has written a letter to you. They’re confused about DNA and have some questions about its structure and function. It’s your job to find out the answers and clear things up.
Learn from an Expert
You’ll be sent to a DNA lab under the supervision of an all-knowing AI companion, Dr. One, to gather information for the magazine. First, you will dive inside a cell to see how double-helical DNA is packaged in chromosomes – details too small to see even with a microscope. Next, you’ll build a nucleotide from smaller chemical components: a deoxyribose sugar, nitrogenous base, and phosphate group. Given a single strand of DNA, you’ll race against the clock to make the complementary strand, applying your knowledge of complementary base pairing. Lastly, you’ll learn about protein synthesis, and your final challenge will be to read and translate a gene’s sequence to reveal a hidden word made from amino acid letters.
Explain DNA to a Confused Reader
After each activity, you’ll pause and answer one of the reader’s questions about DNA’s location, structure, and function, to make sure that you have understood the key concepts.
Will you be able to answer the reader’s questions and clear up their confusion?
Get Started Now
Research the fundamentals of DNA in humans — where it is, how it’s structured, and what it does — to explain them to a confused reader of your science magazine. You’ll dive inside blood cells, build a nucleotide, play a game to explore how bases pair, and decode the DNA code to reveal a hidden word.
Techniques in Lab
- Nucleotide composition
- Complementary base pairing
- Gene expression
Learning Objectives
- Describe the organization and components of a genome,
- Recognize and interpret visual representations of DNA and nucleotide structure, including base pairing rules,
- Broadly relate DNA coding and protein synthesis.
Simulation Features
Length – 17 minutes
Accessibility mode – Available
Languages – English
Examples of Related Standards
University
- Early Stage Bachelors Level
- EHEA First Cycle
- EHEA Short Cycle
- US College Year 1
- US College Year 2
- US College Year 3
NGSS
- LS3.A-H1
- HS-LS1-1
- LS1.C-H2
IB
- Biology 2.6
AP
- Biology Unit 6.1
Screenshots of DNA: Structure and function Virtual Lab Simulation
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