MS-LS3-1 lessons
Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
The Next Generation Science Standards code MS-LS3-1 asks students to: “Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.” These Fieldbook lesson teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials, a printable teacher guide and a student sheet.
Genes and Traits: Heredity and Punnett Squares Grades 7–8
- What happens when a gene changes? 45–60 min
Students decode the first words of the real human haemoglobin gene, apply five mutation cards and see which changes alter the protein. Then they stand in the corner of the room that matches each real case: harmful, neutral, helpful or it depends. They explain how a change in a gene can change a protein and a trait.
NGSS is used as written in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, so the code MS-LS3-1 matches there. Other states word and number their own versions: see curriculum alignment for your state's codes.
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