This pathway explores the different types of cells, including eukaryotic, prokaryotic and plant cells, and their structures.

This pathway explores the processes of transcription and translation that allow cells to produce proteins from DNA.

This video explains how to sort small molecules using a technique called column chromatography.

As a class, students work through an example showing how DNA provides the "recipe" for making our body proteins. They see how the pattern of nucleotide bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine) forms the double helix ladder shape of DNA, and serves as the code for the steps required to make genes. They also learn some ways that engineers and scientists are applying their understanding of DNA in our world.

Recombinant DNA technology has made it possible to gain insight into how genes work. This concept is further developed in this article with an animated explanation, art gallery, audio/video interviews, biographies, and an interactive problem to solve. An exciting, interesting way to learn about rDNA!

This online interactive module of 10 pages or frames integrates textual information, 3D molecular models, interactive molecular simulations, and embedded assessment items to guide students in understanding the copying of DNA base sequences from translation to transcription into proteins within each cell. The module divides the exercises in to Day 1 and Day 2 time frames. Teachers can view student assessment responses by assigning the module within a class created within the Molecular Workbench application. This Java-based module must be downloaded to each computer.

This video provides insight on the human protein. Content explores what a protein is, how they work, and how they are made.

Student teams learn about engineering design of green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) and their use in medical research, including stem cell research. They simulate the use of GFPs by adding fluorescent dye to water and letting a flower or plant to transport the dye throughout its structure. Students apply their knowledge of GFPs to engineering applications in the medical, environmental and space exploration fields. Due to the fluorescing nature of the dye, plant life of any color, light or dark, can be used unlike dyes that can only be seen in visible light.

Globally, fish consumption has nearly doubled in the last 40 years. At the same time wild fish capture has leveled off. This is due to decreasing wild stocks and high scrutiny of fishing practices. As a result, aquaculture has become one of the primary solutions to the worldwide demand for seafood. Students will “engineer” a fish feeder to make an aquaculture operation more efficient. This unit features 1 lesson and 3 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

How do animals digest food? Animal nutritionists determine feed rations for livestock, zoo animals, and pets related to their dietary needs but also their digestive systems. This unit will make a connection between soybean used as high protein feed and the types of digestive systems in animals. This unit features 3 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Students discover the science and challenges behind global fish farming by completing these three lessons. This unit features 3 lessons and 6 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Create a cookbook to learn Standard Operating Procedures for food safety and environmental monitoring. Test for proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and compare plant and animal protein. This unit features 5 lessons and 16 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Do your students struggle to understand the “central dogma” of biology? Are you looking for innovative teaching techniques? This unit is an integrated art and science project to teach transcription and translation, which is also known as “central dogma”. This process explains how sequences of DNA are interpreted by organelles in the cell and are expressed as specific proteins. It is a core idea in understanding molecular genetics. Students will create a three-paneled work of art that models the process of transcription and translation. Explicit instructions make this unit accessible to science teachers. This unit features 4 lessons and 15 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Scientists and engineers work together to “industrialize” the use of agriculture products. Oil and protein from plants can be turned into many products. Design some new products using items from around your house. Then use soy protein to create a new bio-based material. This activity is one of several from a 4H Agriscience Biotechnology Series. This unit features 1 lesson and 1 file. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Take on multiple roles within an aquaculture farm including set-up and maintenance of tanks, test water quality, investigate possible feed sources and monitor fish health and growth. This unit features 5 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

In this lesson students will plant and care for soybeans under one of three different photoperiod regimes: First month: 16 hours; Second month: 14 hours; third month: 12 hours (control). 16 hours for all three months (long days). * 12 hours for all three months (short days)

As the plants grow, students will analyze and maintain records of their plant’s progress. This unit features 2 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Soybeans contain several components which innovators and entrepreneurs find valuable when creating greener products. What are the chemical building blocks in a soybean? This unit features 4 lessons and 6 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Create models to understand DNA and the gene transfer process used in biotechnology. Explore questions: Are there harmful side effects of biotechnology? Can biotech solve world hunger? Should GMO foods be labeled? This unit features 5 lessons and 5 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

About 48 million people (1 in 6 Americans) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year from foodborne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Microbes in food are the culprits. The purpose of these protocols is to investigate the effectiveness of bio-based cleaners at reducing bacterial counts on lab stations. This unit features 4 lessons and 10 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.