DNA, genes, and protein
Explain DNA structure and the path from gene to protein before the PLTW diagnosis task.
Pre-lab mutation plan: the original DNA template sequence (9 bases minimum), the mRNA transcription, the amino acid translation, and the specific base-pair change you plan to introduce Wednesday.
- 1Do thisExplain DNA structure and the path from gene to protein before the PLTW diagnosis task.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisPre-lab: Pre-lab mutation plan: the original DNA template sequence (9 bases minimum), the mRNA transcription, the amino acid translation, and the specific base-pair change you plan to introduce Wednesday.
- 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: Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science) › Unit 2.2 Decoding a Diagnosis: DNA, chromosomes, genes, proteins, protein synthesis, mutation, inheritance. › Pre-labOpen 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: The central dogma (DNA to RNA to protein) is the molecular link between a gene sequence and the physical traits and diseases it produces.
- 0:00Warm-up: base-pair matching practice (A-T, G-C); review the antiparallel structure
- 0:10Teacher-led notes: DNA structure, chromosome, gene; transcription (template strand to mRNA); translation (codon to amino acid)
- 0:30Practice: transcribe a short 9-base template strand to mRNA, then translate using a codon chart
- 0:45myPLTW: complete the decoding-a-diagnosis online task on DNA and proteins
- 1:05Identify the variable you will change in the mutation model Wednesday: which base pair, what change, what codon result
- 1:10Exit ticket: write the central dogma as a word equation with one-sentence descriptions of each step
- • DNA is the instruction manual. mRNA is the photocopy you take to the work floor. And the ribosome is the machine that reads the photocopy and builds the protein. That three-step process is called the central dogma.
- • We are covering it today because on Wednesday you will physically model it: you will transcribe a gene, translate the mRNA, and then introduce a mutation and see what changes.
- • The reason this matters clinically is that a single changed base pair in DNA can produce a protein that does not fold correctly, that is too short, or that does not work at all. That is how genetic diseases begin at the molecular level.
- • Today you build the conceptual map. Tomorrow you do the hands-on work.
- 1Take notes on DNA structure, chromosomes, and genes.
- 2Outline transcription and translation as the steps from gene to protein.
- 3Review how a mutation can change a protein and cause disease.
- 4Complete the PLTW decoding-a-diagnosis online task on DNA and proteins.
- 5Identify the variable you will change when modeling a mutation.
- • I can describe DNA structure and where genes sit.
- • I can outline transcription and translation.
- • DNA is a double-stranded molecule organized into chromosomes; genes are specific sequences of base pairs that code for a protein.
- • Transcription copies a gene from DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus; translation reads the mRNA codons at the ribosome to assemble a protein from amino acids.
- • A point mutation changes one base pair, which may change one codon, which may change one amino acid in the resulting protein, potentially altering or destroying its function.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 2.2 Decoding a Diagnosis: DNA, chromosomes, genes, proteins, protein synthesis, mutation, inheritance. · DNA, genes, and protein
Day 2 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Lesson 2.2 Decoding a Diagnosis in myPLTW and complete the DNA-and-proteins online task covering the central dogma.
Mark the Lesson 2.2 DNA-and-proteins task complete in myPLTW.
You read the Lesson 2.2 overview Monday. By the end of today the myPLTW task and your pre-lab mutation plan should be done.
Screenshot of myPLTW showing the Lesson 2.2 DNA-and-proteins task marked complete, plus your mutation variable in your notebook.
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.
Unit 2.2 Decoding a Diagnosis: DNA, chromosomes, genes, proteins, protein synthesis, mutation, inheritance. · DNA, genes, and protein
Open Lesson 2.2 Decoding a Diagnosis in myPLTW and complete the DNA-and-proteins online task covering the central dogma.
You read the Lesson 2.2 overview Monday. By the end of today the myPLTW task and your pre-lab mutation plan should be done.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Explain DNA structure and the path from gene to protein before the PLTW diagnosis task.
- Take notes on DNA structure, chromosomes, and genes.
- Outline transcription and translation as the steps from gene to protein.
- Review how a mutation can change a protein and cause disease.
- Complete the PLTW decoding-a-diagnosis online task on DNA and proteins.
- Identify the variable you will change when modeling a mutation.
Pre-lab: Pre-lab mutation plan: the original DNA template sequence (9 bases minimum), the mRNA transcription, the amino acid translation, and the specific base-pair change you plan to introduce Wednesday.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Take notes on DNA structure, chromosomes, and genes. | _______ |
| Outline transcription and translation as the steps from gene to protein. | _______ |
| Review how a mutation can change a protein and cause disease. | _______ |
| Complete the PLTW decoding-a-diagnosis online task on DNA and proteins. | _______ |
| Identify the variable you will change when modeling a mutation. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- I can describe DNA structure and where genes sit.
- I can outline transcription and translation.
Resources & readings
Hand-picked materials for this lesson. Class file items open the document directly; the rest are vetted readings and interactives from other biomedical programs.
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 Pre-lab.
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:
Learn.Genetics (University of Utah): DNA to protein- 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 Thu, Oct 15, 2026 · DNA, genes, and protein here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project