This assignment was created for students who miss class and can be completed independently. There are sections to read with questions to answer, focusing on how DNA provides the instructions to make protein. A single base substitution in the gene that codes for hemoglobin results in sickle cell anemia.

Students are walked through the process of how DNA is used to create messenger RNA, which is then used to build an amino acid chain on the ribosomes.

It is similar to this worksheet on DNA, Proteins, and Sickle Cell, but has more reading and information about the actual disease and how changes in the DNA can result in changes in the protein.

This can be given to students to work on independently, but another option is to work with them page by page. The choice might depend on how much prior knowledge students have about DNA, RNA, and codon charts.

Time Required: 25-30 minutes
Grade Level: 9-12