DNA replication, mutations, the cell cycle, and cancer are often taught separately in high school biology. Composing an activity that connects the understanding of these concepts and how they are interrelated is not always done effectively. DNA replication is a normal task for all cells, yet some cells become cancer cells because of changes to their DNA. This unwanted mutation can surpass the check points in the cell cycle and overtake normal cells.

In this two day lesson, students will be reminded of those DNA concepts using reading strategies needed to support scientific explanation with research evidence in a concise activity. This lesson builds a scaffold of background knowledge from Day 1 to enhance the simulation lab of cancer cell engulfing normal cells in Day 2, which often causes the demise of otherwise healthy individuals. The entire lesson should take about 45 minutes each day.