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Molecular Biology: Major Concepts and Learning Activities

This overview reviews key concepts and learning activities to help students understand how genes influence our traits by molecular processes.  Topics covered include basic understanding of the important roles of proteins and DNA; DNA structure, function and replication; the molecular biology of how genes influence traits, including transcription and translation; the molecular biology of mutations; and genetic engineering. 

To help students understand the relevance of these molecular processes, the suggested learning activities link alleles of specific genes to human characteristics such as albinism, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia and muscular dystrophy. Suggested activities include analysis and discussion activities, hands-on laboratory and simulation activities, web-based simulations, and a vocabulary review game.

The attached files have the overview of key concepts, with descriptions of relevant learning activities and links to the activities. 

AttachmentSize
Molecular biology overview TN.docx39.07 KB
Molecular biology overview TN.pdf231.28 KB
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Comments

Muunda Mudenda's picture

Appreciation

Submitted by Muunda Mudenda (guest) on Sun, 01/22/2017 - 6:55am.

"The document is really amazing and has helped me get proper insight into matters that were of great concern to me as a biochemistry student here at Bugema University in Uganda."

Serendip Visitor's picture

where it is?

Submitted by Serendip Visitor (guest) on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 11:37am.

Where can I find the overview to review key concepts? it is not showing any document.

iwaldron's picture

File is now available

Submitted by iwaldron on Sat, 02/13/2016 - 10:53am.

Thank you very much for bringing this problem to my attention. I have fixed the page so the file for the molecular biology overview is now available.

Ingrid

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Download Minds-On Activities for Teaching Biology

Introduction and Activities Listing

Intro and Biological Molecules

Cell

Cell Structure and Function

Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

Cell Division

Cell Division

Genealogy

Genetics

Genealogy

Molecular Biology

Natural Selection

Evolution

Natural Selection

Ecology

Runner

Human Physiology and Health

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To preserve the value of these learning activities for other teachers, please do not post keys for any questions from any of these activities!

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Authors

Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, who is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and middle school and high school teachers in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful to Craig Douglas for his generous help with graphics.

 

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