Activity Number 260
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	Overview and Learning Objectives
	Assessment
	Central Concepts
	Textbook References
	Benchmarks and Standards
	Activity Credits
	Requirements

Template-Based Synthesis: PCR

Interactive, scaffolded model

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Adobe Flash Plugin
Java 1.4+ - Java 1.4+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.3 and greater.

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	Overview and Learning Objectives Students learn that it is difficult, if not practically impossible, for organisms to create a polymer without some guiding template molecule. DNA is then discussed as an example and the basics of DNA replication are explored. Finally, students learn how the natural mechanism of DNA replication can be used to amplify small amounts of DNA using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) procedure. Students will be able to: demonstrate how using a template is an efficient way to create a molecule of specific sequence; discuss the basic mechanism of how DNA replicates; apply their knowledge of DNA replication to the Polymerase Chain Reaction procedure. return to top



	Assessment http://www.concord.org/~barbara/workbench_web/pdf/pcr_assessment_fin5.pdf http://www.concord.org/~barbara/workbench_web/pdf/pcr_assessment_RUBRIC5.pdf You can also use Molecular Workbench to enter and send your assessment: http://www.concord.org/~barbara/workbench_web/models/jnlps/PCR_assess1.jnlp return to top



	Central Concepts Key Concept: Using DNA's capacity to make many copies of itself, the laboratory procedure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) replicates DNA samples for forensics and drug development. Additional Related Concepts Biology Genetics Molecular Biology Coding DNA Nucleic Acid Template-based synthesis return to top



	Textbook References Biology (Prentice-Hall) New York Edition - Chapter 12: DNA and RNA Biology: Concepts and Connections (Pearson) 5th Edition - Chapter 10: Molecular Biology of the Gene Biology: Concepts and Connections (Pearson) 5th Edition - Chapter 11: The Control of Gene Expression Biology: Exploring Life - Chapter 9: The Cellular Basis of Inheritance Biology: The Dynamics of Life - Chapter 13: Genetic Technology BSCS Blue (8th Edition) - Advances in Molecular Genetics Web of Life - Chapter 7: DNA, Genes and Chromosomes return to top



	Benchmarks and Standards AAAS COMMON THEMES: Systems - The successful operation of a designed system usually involves feedback (Full Text of Standard) THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT: CELLS - The genetic information encoded in DNA molecules provides instructions for assembling protein molecules (Full Text of Standard) NSES Science as Inquiry: 3 Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications (Full Text of Standard) Science as Inquiry: 4 Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models (Full Text of Standard) Science as Inquiry: 5 Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models (Full Text of Standard) return to top



	Activity Credits Created by CC Project: Molecular Workbench using Flash and Molecular Workbench + Pedagogica return to top



	Requirements Adobe Flash Plugin Java 1.4+ - Java 1.4+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.3 and greater. return to top

These materials are based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation under grant number DUE-0402553

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions
or recommendations expressed in this material are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views
of the National Science Foundation.

Template-Based Synthesis: PCR

Overview and Learning Objectives

Assessment

Central Concepts

Additional Related Concepts

Textbook References

Benchmarks and Standards

Activity Credits

Requirements