Plasmids and enzymes
Explain how plasmids, restriction enzymes, and ligase work together to build recombinant DNA.
Labeled cloning-tools diagram showing restriction enzyme cuts, sticky ends, gene insertion, and ligase sealing to form recombinant DNA.
- 1Do thisExplain how plasmids, restriction enzymes, and ligase work together to build recombinant DNA.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisNotebook check: Labeled cloning-tools diagram showing restriction enzyme cuts, sticky ends, gene insertion, and ligase sealing to form recombinant DNA.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions) › Plasmids, restriction enzymes, ligase, transformation, protein expression. › Notebook checkOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: Restriction enzymes and ligase are the molecular scissors and glue that make recombinant DNA possible.
- 0-10Read cloning-tools notes; define three vocabulary terms in margin
- 10-28Diagram restriction enzyme cutting plasmid and gene at matching sites
- 28-45Add ligase step; show recombinant DNA forming
- 45-58Annotate sticky ends and explain directionality
- 58-72Finalize and label diagram
- 72-80Submit to tracker; preview Wednesday transformation lab
- • Tomorrow you run the cloning workflow, but you need the molecular tools first.
- • Restriction enzymes are the molecular scissors; ligase is the molecular glue.
- • Today you diagram exactly how those tools work so you can predict what will happen in the lab.
- • This molecular mechanism is the most tested concept in the Molecular and Genetic Technology domain.
- 1Read the cloning-tools notes in the PLTW course shell and define plasmid, restriction enzyme, and ligase.
- 2Diagram a restriction enzyme cutting a plasmid and a gene at matching sites.
- 3Show how ligase joins the gene into the open plasmid to form recombinant DNA.
- 4Explain why sticky ends help the gene insert in the right place.
- 5Submit a labeled cloning-tools diagram as PLTW tracker evidence.
- • You'll be able to define plasmid, restriction enzyme, and ligase.
- • You'll be able to explain how a gene is inserted into a plasmid.
- • Restriction enzymes recognize short palindromic sequences and cut both DNA strands, leaving sticky ends.
- • Sticky ends are complementary single-stranded overhangs that base-pair with a matching cut fragment.
- • Ligase covalently seals the phosphodiester backbone after the gene is annealed into the plasmid.
Your PLTW work today
Plasmids, restriction enzymes, ligase, transformation, protein expression. · Plasmids and enzymes
Day 2 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Activity 4.1.2 Protein Factories in myPLTW and diagram how restriction enzymes and ligase build recombinant DNA using plasmids.
Mark the plasmid-and-enzyme entry complete and attach your labeled cloning-tools diagram.
Monday debate should be complete; cloning-tools diagram due today.
Labeled diagram showing restriction enzyme cuts, sticky ends, gene insertion, and ligase sealing submitted.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Plasmids, restriction enzymes, ligase, transformation, protein expression. · Plasmids and enzymes
Open Activity 4.1.2 Protein Factories in myPLTW and diagram how restriction enzymes and ligase build recombinant DNA using plasmids.
Monday debate should be complete; cloning-tools diagram due today.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Explain how plasmids, restriction enzymes, and ligase work together to build recombinant DNA.
- Read the cloning-tools notes in the PLTW course shell and define plasmid, restriction enzyme, and ligase.
- Diagram a restriction enzyme cutting a plasmid and a gene at matching sites.
- Show how ligase joins the gene into the open plasmid to form recombinant DNA.
- Explain why sticky ends help the gene insert in the right place.
- Submit a labeled cloning-tools diagram as PLTW tracker evidence.
Notebook check: Labeled cloning-tools diagram showing restriction enzyme cuts, sticky ends, gene insertion, and ligase sealing to form recombinant DNA.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Read the cloning-tools notes in the PLTW course shell and define plasmid, restriction enzyme, and ligase. | _______ |
| Diagram a restriction enzyme cutting a plasmid and a gene at matching sites. | _______ |
| Show how ligase joins the gene into the open plasmid to form recombinant DNA. | _______ |
| Explain why sticky ends help the gene insert in the right place. | _______ |
| Submit a labeled cloning-tools diagram as PLTW tracker evidence. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- You'll be able to define plasmid, restriction enzyme, and ligase.
- You'll be able to explain how a gene is inserted into a plasmid.
Teacher-posted resources
Classroom documents for this lesson. Ones marked “Open the file” open right here; the rest are posted in Schoology. Use the label on each card to choose the right move.
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Recombinant DNA and cloning workflow by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-4_When-Organs-Fail/4.1_Manufacturing-Human-Proteins; keywords:transformation, pglo. Score 142. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Recombinant DNA and cloning workflow by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-4_When-Organs-Fail/4.1_Manufacturing-Human-Proteins; keywords:transformation, pglo. Score 138. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Recombinant DNA and cloning workflow by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-4_When-Organs-Fail/4.1_Manufacturing-Human-Proteins; keywords:transformation, pglo. Score 138. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
How to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Lab & supplies
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Today is individual PLTW work, so do exactly what we did in class, from home: complete the same PLTW target above, then submit your Notebook check.
Open Schoology (CMSD) and keep goingHow to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Genetic Science Learning Center: CloningOptional extra credit (async)
You've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home (virtual labs included) for extra credit, all submitted on Schoology.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Fri, Nov 20, 2026 · Plasmids and enzymes here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project