Lesson Plan

• Describe the two stages of protein synthesis (transcription and translation).
• Explain how a gene mutation alters the DNA sequence and can affect the resulting polypeptide.
• Identify different types of gene mutations and predict their possible effects on protein structure.
• Interpret a DNA‑RNA‑protein coding table to determine amino‑acid sequences.
• Apply knowledge of mutations to analyse a scenario and suggest potential functional outcomes.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• PowerPoint/Google Slides on transcription, translation, and mutations
• Handout with DNA‑RNA‑protein coding table and mutation examples
• Model kits or printable cut‑outs of DNA, mRNA, tRNA, and ribosome
• Exit‑ticket cards or online quiz platform (e.g., Kahoot)

Begin with a quick think‑pair‑share: “What would happen if a single letter in a word were changed?” Connect this to DNA as the cell’s language and outline today’s success criteria: students will be able to state how a gene mutation changes base‑pair sequences and predict its impact on the polypeptide.

1. Do‑now (5’) – Students answer a short prompt on the effect of a typo in a sentence; brief discussion (hook).
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Review transcription and translation with a diagram, emphasizing DNA → mRNA → polypeptide flow.
3. Guided practice (12’) – Pairs use the coding table to translate a DNA segment into an amino‑acid chain; teacher circulates.
4. Mutation exploration (15’) – Present examples of point, nonsense, silent, and frameshift mutations; students predict changes to the polypeptide using the table.
5. Interactive simulation (10’) – Online animation shows a mutation altering a codon; students record observations.
6. Formative check (5’) – Exit ticket: define a gene mutation and give one possible effect on protein function.

Summarise that mutations are changes in DNA sequence that can alter, truncate, or leave unchanged the resulting protein. Collect the exit tickets where each student describes one mutation type and its likely impact. For homework, ask students to find a real‑world example of a genetic disease caused by a specific mutation and explain the molecular basis.