DNA Interactive / instructions
Directions: Today, you will be using the Internet to test and improve you understanding of DNA.
Carefully follow the instructions below and pace yourself to make sure you have time to get everything
done by the end of the period. If you do not complete it in class, the remainder will be due the next class.
1. DNA Extraction virtual lab
a. Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/extraction/
b. Click on “Start Lab”
c. Click “next” after reading the text on each page and answering the corresponding
questions on your worksheet, under “DNA Extraction”
2. Gel Electrophoresis virtual lab
a. Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/
b. Click on “Forward”
c. Click “Forward” after reading the text on each page and answering the corresponding
questions on your worksheet, under, under “Electrophoresis”
3. Transcription & Translation
a. Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/transcribe/
b. Click on the button that says “Click Here to Begin”
c. Use the keyboard to type in the complementary base pairs to make an RNA strand
d. Translate the RNA strand you made into amino acids. Pay close attention to the
“Universal Genetic Code” chart – all RNA messages must begin with a “Start” codon
and end with a “Stop” codon, so you will have to shift the reading frame accordingly.
e. Answer the questions on your worksheet, under “Transcription & Translation”.
4. If you finish early, check out http://www.dnai.org/a/index.html
a. Choose one of the four modules (“Finding the Structure”; “Copying the Code”;
“Reading the Code”; and/or “Controlling the Code”)
b. At the top right, click “Putting it together”
c. Click on the “Interactive” icon to play
d. Try each of the other modules until the bell rings
