Module: Cell Functions
DCI: LS1.A (A) Systems of specialized cells within organisms help
them perform the essential functions of life.
DCI: LS1.A (b0 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.
PE: 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.
[Assessment
Boundary: Assessment does not include identification of specific cell or tissue
types, whole body systems, specific protein structures and functions, or the
biochemistry of protein synthesis.]
-All cells are similar in that they all contain DNA, however at the same time, cells are specialized to perform life sustaining functions.
-DNA is composed of structures (regions?) called genes
-Genes code for proteins, proteins do the work of cells (essential functions of life)
So it seems as if we will be looking at evidence again, and how this evidence supports the idea that the structure of DNA codes for specialized proteins... it goes something like this: specialized DNA structure --> specialized proteins --> special functions carried out by specialized cells.
All the while, students do not have to identify any cell types or specific protein functions. If we are going to discuss the function of a specific function, we will have to tell them explicitly the function and then ask a generalized question.
Possible Question Starters:
"Hemoglobin is a protein with the unique ability to bind to oxygen. Cells containing this protein are uniquely suited to carry out which function?"
"How are the cells in the stem of a plant different from the cells in all other parts of the plant?" (correct answer = something about specialized function, wrong answers = require energy, contain DNA and other things true of all cells)
"Which of the following observations would support the claim that DNA determines the structure of proteins produced by cells?" (correct answer = something like "cells in digestive track that produce [some protein] have genes different from cells in the [other place] that produce [some other protein]", wrong answers = avoid saying the opposite, i.e. DON'T have an answer like "all cells have the same genes". Wrong answers could be observations about how the lengths of DNA in different species vary, or about how cells have different kinds of membranes.)
"How are the cells in the stem of a plant different from the cells in all other parts of the plant?" (correct answer = something about specialized function, wrong answers = require energy, contain DNA and other things true of all cells)
"Which of the following observations would support the claim that DNA determines the structure of proteins produced by cells?" (correct answer = something like "cells in digestive track that produce [some protein] have genes different from cells in the [other place] that produce [some other protein]", wrong answers = avoid saying the opposite, i.e. DON'T have an answer like "all cells have the same genes". Wrong answers could be observations about how the lengths of DNA in different species vary, or about how cells have different kinds of membranes.)
Want me to start working on this one?
ReplyDeleteDo you think that mutations could play a role in the PE. We are looking at evidence that DNA codes for specific proteins to do a specific role, so could we go backwards? Could evidence be when things go wrong? Examples: sickle cell, cystic fibrosis when the incorrect proteins are made? Just a thought, when I am writing stems this keeps popping into my head.
ReplyDeleteThat could work - as long as we aren't expecting them to know specifics of these types of mutations.
ReplyDeleteIt should be a general question in which the correct answer is that some kind of mutation corresponds to a protein no longer being produced, or produced incorrectly.