CURRICULUM TOOL: DNA AND RNA
NYS Living Environment Core Curriculum Standard 4:
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the
physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Performance Indicator 2.1 Explain how the structure and replication of genetic material result in
offspring that resemble their parents.
 In all organisms, the coded instructions for specifying the characteristics of the organism are
carried in DNA, a large molecule formed from subunits arranged in a sequence with bases of
four kinds (represented by A, G, C, and T). The chemical and structural properties of DNA are
the basis for how the genetic information that underlies heredity is both encoded in genes
(as a string of molecular “bases”) and replicated by means of a template.
 Cells store and use coded information. The genetic information stored in DNA is used to
direct the synthesis of the thousands of proteins that each cell requires.
 Genes are segments of DNA molecules. Any alteration of the DNA sequence is a
mutation. Usually, an altered gene will be passed on to every cell that develops from it.
 The work of the cell is carried out by the many different types of molecules it assembles,
mostly proteins. Protein molecules are long, usually folded chains made from 20 different
kinds of amino acids in a specific sequence. This sequence influences the shape of the protein.
The shape of the protein, in turn, determines its function.
 Offspring resemble their parents because they inherit similar genes that code for
the production of proteins that form similar structures and perform similar functions.
Curriculum-Based Questions
 Describe the shape of the DNA
double helix.
 Explain the steps of DNA
replication.
 How does RNA differ from DNA?
 What happens during transcription?
 What are the main events of
translation?
 How do mutations affect genes?
Key Vocabulary: nucleotide, base pair, adenine, thymine,
guanine, cytosine, uracil, protein, DNA, RNA, mRNA,
double helix, amino acid, polymer, mutation, offspring,
chromosomes, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, histones, clone,
replication, cancer, tumor, apoptosis, growth, gametes,
diploid, haploid
Some Past Part A, B-1, B-2, C Questions:
January 2013 ~32, 33, 54, 55, 83, 84, 85
August 2012 ~ 78, 79, 80
June 2012 ~ 69, 70, 71, 72, 82, 83, 84, 85
Released Regents Tests:
http://www.nysedregents.org/livingenvironment/
High School of Language and Innovation 2012
CURRICULUM TOOL: DNA AND RNA
Past Part A Regents Questions
1. A molecule of DNA is a polymer composed of
(1) glucose
(2) amino acids
(3) fatty acids
(4) nucleotides
3. Which nitrogenous bases makes up DNA nucleotides?
(1) adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine
(2) adenine, uracil, guanine, and cytosine
(3) adenine, thymine, uracil, and cytosine
(4) adenine, thymine, guanine, and uracil
2. The presence of DNA is important for cellular metabolic
activities because DNA
(1) directs the production of enzymes
(2) is a structural component of cell walls
(3) directly increases the solubility of nutrients
(4) is a major component of cytoplasm
4. The DNA of a fly and the DNA of a gorilla are made up of
subunits that are
(1) arranged in the same order in both species
(2) arranged in chains of the same length in both species
(3) different bases in each of the two species
(4) in different sequences in each of the two species
Readings
Prentice Hall Biology
p.286-317
Holt Living Environment
p. 290-315
Holt Living Environment
Spanish
p. 290-315
Miller & Levine Biology
p. 336-389
Holt McDougal Biology
p. 212-245
Websites
http://www.brainpop.com/science/cellularlifeandgenetics/dna/
http://www.brainpop.com/health/geneticsgrowthanddevelopment/rna/preview.weml
http://www.brainpop.com/health/geneticsgrowthanddevelopment/geneticmutations/
preview.weml
http://www.untamedscience.com/biology/genetics
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/evolution-and-natural-selection/v/dna
http://www.dnai.org/a/index.html
http://www.dnaftb.org/15/index.html
Videos
In the womb
Curriculum Tool Guide
In the womb with
multiples
Worksheet station
Activity stations
In the womb with
animals
HIV/AIDS
THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED INDEPENDENT WORK
http://www.brainpop.com/science/cellularlifeandgenetics/dna/quiz/ graded quiz
EMAIL TO: christinehunkele@yahoo.com or mcneilnakita@yahoo.com
High School of Language and Innovation 2012
In-Class Activities
Discovery Human
Body
Common Core Writing
Prompt