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Content Supports - Technologies
Cracking the Code of Life
Discipline
Science
Grades
10, 11, 12, Postsecondary
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Professional Commentary

This site, maintained by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), is a companion to the NOVA television special, Cracking the Code of Life, which chronicles the scientific race to complete the human genome. Animations provide journeys within the double helix and offer a glimpse into what scientists see as they explore stretches of DNA. A sample section, Sequence for Yourself, illustrates the methods involved in the decoding process. Fragmentation using restriction enzymes is discussed, along with the cloning, detection, and assembly stages. Transcripts of interviews with three key scientists in the field--Francis Collins, Eric Lander, and Craig Venter--reveal the critical nature of balancing curiosity about and fear of genetic determinism. (ENC/ts)


Next Generation Science Standards (2012)
Crosscutting Concepts
 
Structure and function
Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (2010)
High School
Biology
Heredity
Structure and function of DNA in cells
Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (2002)
Life Sciences
Benchmarks (9–10)
C.
Explain the genetic mechanisms and molecular basis of inheritance.
J.
Summarize the historical development of scientific theories and ideas, and describe emerging issues in the study of life sciences.
Benchmarks (11–12)
A.
Explain how processes at the cellular level affect the functions and characteristics of an organism.
G.
Summarize the historical development of scientific theories and ideas within the study of life sciences.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 10)
6.
Explain that a unit of hereditary information is called a gene, and genes may occur in different forms called alleles (e.g., gene for pea plant height has two alleles, tall and short).
27.
Describe advances in life sciences that have important long-lasting effects on science and society (e.g., biological evolution, germ theory, biotechnology, discovering germs).
28.
Analyze and investigate emerging scientific issues (e.g., genetically modified food, stem cell research, genetic research, cloning).
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 12)
1.
Recognize that information stored in DNA provides the instructions for assembling protein molecules used by the cells that determine the characteristics of the organism.
11.
Trace the historical development of a biological theory or idea (e.g., genetics, cytology and germ theory).
12.
Describe advances in life sciences that have important, long-lasting effects on science and society (e.g., biotechnology).
Science and Technology
Benchmarks (9–10)
B.
Explain that science and technology are interdependent; each drives the other.
Benchmarks (11–12)
A.
Predict how human choices today will determine the quality and quantity of life on Earth.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 10)
2.
Describe examples of scientific advances and emerging technologies and how they may impact society.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 12)
2.
Describe how new technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and introduce new areas of research.
National Science Education Standards
Life Science
Molecular basis of heredity (Grades 9 - 12)