Thursday, February 20, 2014

MS - LS3.A (A) - Genes and Gene Mutations - FINAL (WND 2/25/2014)

Module: Genes and Gene Mutations
DCI: LS3.A (A) Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of each of many distinct genes. Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of specific proteins, which in turn affects the traits of the individual. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structure and functions of the organisms and thereby change traits.

 PE: MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

[Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on conceptual understanding that changes in genetic material may result in making different proteins.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations.]

The ideas in this standard are: 
- genes are located in the chromosomes of cells
- each chromosome pair contains two variants of many distinct genes
- each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of certain proteins
- these proteins affect the traits of the individual
- changes to genes can result in changes to proteins
- changes to proteins can affect the structure and functions of the organisms and thereby change traits

A model that describes why structural changes to genes may affect proteins and result in effects to structure and function of the organism may include a general understanding that the proteins themselves are affected by mutations.  We cannot get into specifics about gene inheritance, but the underlying notion that defective genes get passed down to offspring seems to be inherent in this standard. 

Possible Question Starters: 
"Genes are located in which part of the cell?"
correct answer - chromosomes
incorrect answer - ribosomes 

No comments:

Post a Comment