Mississippi Science GEN.2B.2

ScienceGrades 9–12Genetics

The Standard

Explain how these mutations may result in changes in protein structure and function.

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

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare original and mutated DNA sequences, then use a codon chart to check for changes in the amino acid sequence. They explain how a changed sequence could affect a protein's shape or job, or leave its job unchanged.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given two DNA sequences, students transcribe and translate both correctly. They identify what changed in the protein and explain a possible effect on its function without assuming every mutation is harmful.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think every DNA change alters a protein or causes harm. They may also think one changed base can affect only one amino acid, overlooking early stops and frameshifts.
How to Assess It: Give students the coding DNA sequences ATG GAA TTT TAA and ATG GTA TTT TAA, plus a codon chart. Ask them to translate both and explain one possible effect of the change.

Lesson moves

Give pairs letter tiles and a codon chart; have them swap, insert, or delete a base and build both amino acid chains.
Ask students to write: If a mutation changes a codon but not its amino acid, what might happen to the protein's job?
Play mutation sort with cards showing paired DNA sequences; students translate each pair and label the resulting protein change.
Show diagrams of hemoglobin clumping and sickle-shaped cells; ask students how one amino acid change could connect the two.

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

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