Gene expression and regulation resources
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Gene expression
Wear a Chimp on Your Wrist 1 and 2 - DNA base pairs and DNA to protein
Two linked activities. Wear a Chimp 1 explores the structure of DNA through the rules of base pairing, and the students produce a DNA bracelet. Wear a Chimp 2 investigates the way the genetic code specifies a sequence of amino acids, and the students produce a matching protein bracelet. Both activities also demonstrate the similarities, and differences, between the DNA sequences of different species.
Resource: GENIE Wear a Chimp 1 and 2
Approach: Modelling activity
What makes a firefly glow?
An animated example of transcription and translation from Learn.Genetics, the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah (US).
Resource: Learn Genetics website
Software: Macromedia Flash
Age range: 16-18
Approach: Animation
Animation of translation
An excellent animation on You Tube.This is made by the NDSU Virtual Cell Animations project. For more information, see http://vcell.ndsu.nodak.edu/animations
Resource: You Tube
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Animation
Transcribe and translate a gene
Interactive tutorial from Learn.Genetics, the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah (US).
Resource: Learn Genetics website
Software: Macromedia Flash
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Interactive tutorial
Race the cell (online game)
Online game exploring gene transcription, including RNA synthesis, from The GEEE! in Genome.
Resource: Nature website
Software: Macromedia Flash or Shockwave
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
Bringing RNA into view
Tutorial on DNA, RNA and proteins from Learn.Genetics, the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah (US). Examines evidence for the role of RNA in the origin of life.
Resource: Learn Genetics website
Software: Macromedia Flash
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence