Mississippi Science BIO.3C.2
The Standard
- BIO.3C
- Students will construct an explanation based on evidence to describe how the structure and nucleotide base sequence of DNA determines the structure of proteins or RNA that carry out essential functions of life.
Evaluate the mechanisms of transcription and translation in protein synthesis.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Reproduction and Heredity
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use a DNA template to make an mRNA sequence, then use its codons to work out the amino acid sequence. They explain the roles of RNA polymerase, ribosomes, and tRNA, and predict what a DNA change might do to the protein.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student pairs bases correctly during transcription and uses a codon chart to translate the mRNA. They can compare two sequences and explain whether a base change alters an amino acid, leaves it unchanged, or creates a stop signal.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think ribosomes read DNA directly or that transcription makes a protein. They may also think every DNA change alters an amino acid.
How to Assess It
- Give students DNA template TAC CTT ACT and a changed template TAC CAT ACT. Using a codon chart, have them write both mRNA sequences and explain how the proteins differ.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs paper DNA and mRNA strips, tRNA cards, and a codon chart to assemble a protein before and after a base change.
Ask students to write why a DNA change might leave the protein unchanged if the new mRNA codon names the same amino acid.
Run a codon relay: teams transcribe a DNA template, match tRNA anticodons, and place amino acid cards in order.
Show hemoglobin coding-strand DNA triplets GAG and GTG, then have students write the matching mRNA codons and compare amino acids.
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Related Standards
- GEN.2A.3
Develop a model to show the relationship between the components involved in the mechanics of translation at the ribosome.
- GEN.2A.4
Analyze the multiple roles of RNA in translation. Compare the structure and function of tRNA, rRNA, mRNA, and snRNA.
- GEN.2A
Students will analyze and explain the processes of transcription and translation in protein production.
- GEN.2A.2
Describe and model how the process of transcription produces RNA from a DNA template in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
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