Mississippi Science GEN.1A.2
The Standard
- GEN.1A
- Students will demonstrate that all cells contain genetic material in the form of DNA.
Explain the importance of the historical experiments that determined that DNA is the heritable material of the cell (Griffith, 1928; Avery, McCarty & MacLeod, 1944; Hershey & Chase, 1952).
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Structure and Function of DNA
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how three experiments tested what carries inherited information. They use enzyme treatments and radioactive labels to explain why the evidence pointed to DNA rather than protein.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that Griffith observed a transferred trait but did not identify the molecule. They can show how Avery's DNase result and the phage label results pointed to DNA.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may say Griffith proved that DNA caused the change. They may think destroying protein stopped the transfer, or that the phage's protein coat entered the bacteria.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Griffith's heat-killed bacteria changed live bacteria. Which enzyme treatment stopped that change, and which phage label result supports DNA as the cause?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use paper phage heads, DNA strips, and cups as bacteria; students model which phage part enters the cell and track each radioactive label.
Ask students to write: Why did Griffith's result leave the identity of the transferred material unanswered?
Hand out cards showing each experiment's treatment, observation, and conclusion; pairs match the cards and defend one match.
Show a diagram of a phage used in phage therapy; ask students what enters the bacterium and directs production of new phages.
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Related Standards
- GEN.1B
Students will analyze how the DNA sequence is copied and transmitted to new cells.
- GEN.1A
Students will demonstrate that all cells contain genetic material in the form of DNA.
- BIO.3C.1
Develop and use models to explain the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes in coding the instructions for the traits transferred from parent to offs...
- FB.1.1
Identify and communicate the contributions of famous scientists and their experiments that formed fundamental scientific principles (e.g., Robert Hooke, Schleid...
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