Standard #: SC.912.L.16.9


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Explain how and why the genetic code is universal and is common to almost all organisms.


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 912
Body of Knowledge: Life Science
Standard: Heredity and Reproduction -

A. DNA stores and transmits genetic information. Genes are sets of instructions encoded in the structure of DNA.

B. Genetic information is passed from generation to generation by DNA in all organisms and accounts for similarities in related individuals.

C. Manipulation of DNA in organisms has led to commercial production of biological molecules on a large scale and genetically modified organisms.

D. Reproduction is characteristic of living things and is essential for the survival of species.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

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2002425: Integrated Science 2 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated))


Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SC.912.L.16.In.3 Recognize that a substance called DNA carries genetic information in all organisms, and changes (mutations) in DNA can be helpful or harmful to an organism.
SC.912.L.16.Su.2 Recognize that all organisms have a substance called DNA with unique information.
SC.912.L.16.Pa.2 Recognize similarities in characteristics of plants and animals of the same type (species).


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Suspect Strawberry, DNA testing?

This lesson uses the scientific method to extract DNA from food sources, other than strawberries, to support that DNA is common to almost all organisms.

Bird Brains - Evolutionary Relationships Students will compare the sequence of amino acids in a gene shared between humans and six other organisms and infer evolutionary relationships among the species.
Personal DNA Testing A lesson with multi-media components from PBS/NOVA that focuses on DNA testing, including techniques, purposes, and considerations for biotechnology and human decisions regarding health. Students will learn about single nucleotide polymorphisms, how they are used in science, and how they are being used in the medical field. Students will apply this knowledge by looking at a mock data set and probabilities to inform medical recommendations.
CRACKING THE CODE/CLONING PAPER PLASMID This is an activity where students "crack" the genetic code. They will "read" and "write" a message. They will also participate in "cloning" a plasmid.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
The Universal Genetic Code

Learn how to better understand the composition of DNA, the purpose of the information in DNA, why the DNA sequence is considered a universal code, and what might happen if mistakes appear in the code with this interactive tutorial.

Text Resources

Name Description
Humans and Squid Evolved Same Eyes Using Same Genes

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text discusses the evolution of the eye across different types of organisms. Eyes have evolved independently several times (such as in squid vs. humans), though all animals with eyes share the Pax6 gene, which is responsible for organizing the formation of a simple eye. The evolution of the Pax6 gene, particularly in how its RNA product is spliced, is responsible for the diversity of eye types, such as the camera eye in squid.

Chemists Expand Nature's Genetic Alphabet

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article provides some of the newest and most exciting information relating to the DNA in living things. It is a synopsis of a recent experiment in which scientists were able to successfully add two new "letters" into DNA and have the cell replicate these new bases. This could lead to advances in genetics, medicine, and various other fields of study.

Virtual Manipulative

Name Description
DNA-The Double Helix


In this interactive game, the students will understand how a DNA molecule is built up, how the copies of the DNA molecule made and what is the meaning of base-pairing. The job of the students in this game is to first make exact copies of a double-stranded DNA molecule by correctly matching the base pairs to each strand, and to then determine which organism the DNA belongs to.

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
The Universal Genetic Code:

Learn how to better understand the composition of DNA, the purpose of the information in DNA, why the DNA sequence is considered a universal code, and what might happen if mistakes appear in the code with this interactive tutorial.



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