Science Classroom Connection

Students will learn about the history, the structure, and the function of  our genetic material, namely, the DNA molecule. Students will learn how this vital molecule plays a key role in the processes of protein synthesis, namely, transcription and translation. Students will have an opportunity to simulate the production of a protein molecule that is based upon the directions that are put forth by the DNA molecule and transcribed by the RNA molecule as this protein molecule gets translated upon the subunits of the ribosomal RNA structure.

Students will learn about the principles of genetics as they had been put forth by Gregor Mendel and then simulate the hereditary process that Mendel had explained in his work with pea plants. Furthermore, students will work upon several hypothetical situations/problems that are based upon traits through a monohybrid cross to determine the genotypic and phenotypic ratios as well as be able to determine the possible gametes of a dihybrid cross.

Students will learn about the genetic material, namely, the chromosome; and compare their chromsomal structure to that of  lower living things such as bacteria. Moreover, they will observe how the cell undergoes mitotic and meiotic divisions and be able to distinguish the two processes in terms of their characteristics and outcomes.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about the photosynthetic process that provides the basis for life on our planet, and how its products play a key role in the survival of all living organisms as well as its interrelationship with the cellular respiration process on a daily basis.

Students will have an opportunity to learn about how certain substances move about into and out of the cell through several processes as the cell maintains its internal environment in order to sustain the life of the cell and therefore the organism.