Friday 24 April 2015

Harvard DNA Replication

Link to simulation

Introduction
Harvard's DNA replication simulation is an interactive animation which allows the user to look at how DNA replication works in a variety of ways. They are also able to stop and start the simulation and move back and forth as they need to. What is really excellent about this simulation is that it allows the user to view the same simulation at four different levels of difficulty. For instance, see it as a simple replication fork, a replication fork with proteins and enzymes, concentrated replication and the trombone model. By doing this, students will be more engaged as they do not have to move onto a more complex level of understanding until they feel they are ready.

Instructions
Click the link above to be directed to the basic animation. Get students to work through the animation at their own pace, ensuring they understand all the information being presented to them.

When the students feel that they understand the content sufficiently, ask them to create a flowchart of the steps involved in DNA replication, with their own diagrams based on what they saw in the simulation.





Outcomes Covered
9.3.4.2.1 describe the process of DNA replication and explain its significance
9.3.4.2.1 explain the relationship between proteins and polypeptides
9.3.4.3.3 process information to construct a flow chart that shows that changes in DNA sequences can result in changes in cell activity
7.1 H6 explains why the biochemical processes that occur in cells are related to macroscopic changes in the organism

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