Mississippi Science GEN.1A.3

ScienceGrades 9–12Genetics

The Standard

GEN.1A: Students will demonstrate that all cells contain genetic material in the form of DNA.

Relate the structure of DNA to its specific functions within the cell.

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Structure and Function of DNA

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students connect DNA’s parts to their jobs in the cell. Base pairing helps cells copy DNA, while base order provides instructions used through RNA to make proteins.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a DNA diagram, a student can explain what the backbone, base pairs, and base order do. They can build a complementary strand and explain how a changed base might affect a protein.
Common Misconceptions: Students may pair A with A instead of T when copying a strand. They may think the backbone carries the protein instructions, or that DNA makes proteins without RNA.
How to Assess It: Give students the DNA strand A T G C. Ask them to write its complement, then explain how base pairing helps copying and how base order guides protein production through RNA.

Lesson moves

Use paper strips labeled A, T, C, and G to build paired strands, then separate the strands and fill in matching bases.
Ask students to write: If one DNA base changes, what might happen to the protein, and why?
Give pairs cards labeled backbone, base pairs, and base order to match with strand stability, accurate copying, and protein instructions.
Give students coding-strand cards GAG and GTG and an RNA codon chart to trace the sickle cell change in hemoglobin.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to GEN.1A.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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