Mississippi Science BIO.3C.5
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.
Enrichment: Investigate current biotechnological applications in the study of the genome (e.g., transcriptome, proteome, individualized sequencing, and individualized gene therapy).
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 compare what DNA sequencing, RNA measurements, and protein measurements reveal about a person's genes. They investigate how those results might inform a gene therapy decision.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can identify which test found a DNA variant and which tests measured RNA or protein levels. They can explain why a DNA variant alone does not show that gene therapy will work.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat DNA sequence, RNA levels, and protein levels as the same result. They may think sequencing changes genes or that gene therapy changes every cell in the body.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A patient's DNA test finds a variant, but their RNA and protein levels are normal. What did each test measure, and why does this report alone not justify gene therapy?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs reference and patient DNA strips, RNA counts, and protein counts; have them mark differences on three paper test reports.
Ask students to write three sentences explaining why a DNA variant does not, by itself, show that gene therapy is appropriate.
Have teams match changed DNA base, high RNA count, low protein level, and edited blood stem cells to four biotechnology methods.
Show a news article on sickle cell gene therapy; students identify the treated cells and the health outcome reported.
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Research and report on genetic technologies that may improve the quality of life (e.g., genetic engineering, cloning, gene splicing, DNA testing).
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- FB.4.6
Enrichment: Debate the pros and cons of using biotechnology to manipulate genetic information for human purposes (society).
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