Mississippi Science GEN.2A.2

ScienceGrades 9–12Genetics

The Standard

GEN.2A: Students will analyze and explain the processes of transcription and translation in protein production.

Describe and model how the process of transcription produces RNA from a DNA template in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Transcription, Translation, and Mutations

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use one DNA strand as a template to build a matching RNA strand. They explain that RNA polymerase does this in the cytoplasm of bacteria and the nucleus of human cells. They show that human RNA is processed before it leaves the nucleus.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given the DNA template 3′-TAC GGA-5′, a student writes 5′-AUG CCU-3′. They can point to where transcription occurs in a bacterium and a human cell, and show an intron being removed from human pre-mRNA.
Common Misconceptions: Students may copy the DNA template instead of matching its bases, or put T in RNA instead of U. They may think bacteria have a nucleus. They may also skip the processing step between human pre-mRNA and mature mRNA.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, give students the template 3′-TAC GGA-5′. Ask them to write the RNA sequence, name where transcription occurs in a bacterium and a human cell, and name one processing step in the human cell.

Lesson moves

Give pairs DNA and RNA letter cards; have them build an RNA strand from a template while moving an RNA polymerase marker along it.
Show a bacterium and a human cell diagram; ask where each makes RNA and what happens to human pre-mRNA before it leaves.
Play a matching game with DNA template and RNA sequence cards; students must reject RNA cards containing T.
Give students a rifampin drug card that says it blocks bacterial RNA polymerase; ask why treated bacteria stop making new RNA.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to GEN.2A.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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