Students explore the structure of DNA — the twisted ladder that stores life’s instructions — and discover the base-pairing rule (A-T, G-C) that lets DNA copy itself with astonishing precision.
Students will be able to…
A molecule inside every cell holds the complete instructions to build you — and can copy itself perfectly. How does DNA store and duplicate that information?
Project this and tap the top bases to change them. Watch the bottom strand automatically pair up by the rule A-T and G-C.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
One molecule holds all your instructions — and copies itself. How?
Students investigate.
Teacher explains.
Apply.
Three quick checks.
Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (High School Life Science) and Common Core literacy in science.
Construct an explanation for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins.
Explain how the structure of DNA determines the structure and traits of organisms.
Construct an explanation about the role of DNA and molecules in organisms.
Translate information in a text into a visual model.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students follow how DNA is transcribed into RNA and then translated into a protein. A printable protein-synthesis sheet is in the Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.