Amino Acids Expansion Set

thingiverse

This is an extension pack for my DNA / RNA Manipulative kit available at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1259352. This kit enables students to explore advanced genetic concepts including mutations, protein formation, and nutrition. The primary file divides amino acids into essential and non-essential categories. Students can see how proteins consumed are recycled in the body to form new proteins. Lesson plans and lab work are now available on my teacher pay teacher site, https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/3D-Printable-DNA-RNA-Manipulative-Lab-1-3452084. Print Settings: Printer Brand: LulzBot Printer: TAZ 5 Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: No Resolution: 0.2 - 0.3 mm Infill: 5% Notes: Students can explore printing on a raft or brim. Break all sharp edges. If exploring essential and non-essential amino acids, print files in two sets of colors. I designed this extension pack using TinkerCAD based on the same file as the DNA / RNA manipulative kit. The AA block can be substituted with these Amino Acids to expand upon the kit. Project: Amino Acid Expansion Set This extension pack expands upon my DNA / RNA manipulative set to study genetics. With the 20 amino acid blocks, students can explore biochemistry and coding for proteins in their bodies. This will work for AP Biology or College biology class. Objectives: Students will explore how proteins are formed from amino acids. Students will explore how amino acids are coded. Students will demonstrate how proteins are formed from DNA. Students will demonstrate mutations and various types. Students will learn essential and non-essential amino acids. Students will examine nutrition and explore where they get amino acids from. Students will examine the claims of dietary supplements to see if they're needed for part of a diet. Students will explore genetic disorders and how they are formed from changes in amino acids. Students will examine how the environment can impact genes. Audiences: This is suitable for High School, AP Bio, or College Biology students. Preparation: Print the DNA / RNA manipulative set first. Students can work in groups of 2. Print at least one full set of amino acids. If discussing essential and non-essential amino acids, print them separately in two colors to distinguish between the two. Have a table of amino acids and their codes, which can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid. Ensure students understand the code for the amino acid blocks. Practice coding and transcribing DNA to RNA using the previous DNA / RNA manipulative. Steps: a. Review DNA / RNA transcription. b. Learn 1-letter codes for each amino acid. c. Practice transcribing DNA to RNA, and using the tRNA block produce the amino acid that is coded. d. Use the amino acids to build a simple protein. e. Demonstrate and have students show what happens if there's a mutation. f. Demonstrate different types of mutations. g. Use this to discuss or examine different genetic disorders, and what causes them. Model the mutation (if possible) that causes this genetic disorder. h. Explore how you could modify or edit genes with this model. i. Explore artificial life creation. j. Explore ethical topics in genetics, modeling them with these models. Results: Students should demonstrate proteins formed from DNA. Students should demonstrate mutations. Students should understand the cause of genetic disorders. Students should understand nutrients involved in genetics. Students should critically examine nutrition and claims they see on media for diet supplements.