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DNA, Genes, Chromosomes

DNA, Genes, Chromosomes

The building blocks of inheritance

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a biomolecule that holds the blueprint for how living organisms are built.  DNA is made out of two long, twisted strands that contain complementary genetic information (like a picture and its negative). A gene is a segment of DNA that is passed down from parents to children and confers a trait to the offspring. Genes are organized and packaged in units called “chromosomes.”  Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. One set of chromosomes for each pair comes from a person’s mother, and the other set of chromosomes comes from the father.

Materials for DNA, Genes, Chromosomes


Discovery of DNA

Description: An interactive timeline of scientific discoveries

DNA Interactive

Description: Animations, interactive tutorials, and practice problems that teach a range of genetic concepts

DNA is a Structure that Encodes Biological Information

Description: General information and an animation on DNA and chromosomes

From Cell to DNA


The Animated Genome

Description: An engaging 5 minute film about DNA and the human genome that is sure to please.

Tour the Basics

Description: Interactive tutorials on DNA, genes, chromosomes, protein, heredity, and traits

Zoom in on Your Genome

Description: This animation shows where and how the human genome is stored within our cells.



Description: General information on genes

Genetics of Development

Description: A video and online textbook chapter examining how molecules work to form an organism

Genomics: What Potential Does Understanding Our Genetic Playbook Hold?


Revealing DNA as the Molecule of Life

Description: How was DNA discovered to be the carrier of genetic information? Read on to find out...

The Discovery of DNA

Description: How was DNA first discovered and who discovered it? Read on to find out...

The New Genetics - Glossary of Genetic Terms

Description: A glossary of genetic terms

The New Genetics - How Genes Work


The New Genetics - RNA and DNA Revealed

Description: Information from a science education booklet explaining microRNAs, RNAi, epigenetics, telomeres, mtDNA, and recombinant DNA

What Does DNA Do?

Description: The DNA code contains instructions needed to make the proteins and molecules essential for our growth, development and health.

What is a Chromosome?


What is a Gene?

Description: Basic information on genes

What is a Genome?


What is DNA?


What is Genetic Variation?

Description: Genetic variation is a term used to describe the variation in the DNA sequence in each of our genomes. Genetic variation is what makes us all unique, whether in terms of hair color, skin color or even the shape of our faces.


Gene Expression - The Basics

Description: Express yourself through your genes! See if you can generate and collect three types of protein, then move on to explore the factors that affect protein synthesis in a cell.

Gene Machine - The Lac Operon



Description: Game-like software that teaches concepts of heredity, meiosis and the pathway from DNA to trait

Modern Genetics

Description: Students breed dragons to learn concepts of modern genetics

Molecular Motors

Description: Discover what controls how fast tiny molecular motors in our body pull through a single strand of DNA. How hard can the motor pull in a tug of war with the optical tweezers? Discover what helps it pull harder. Do all molecular motors behave the same?

Optical Tweezers and Applications

Description: Did you ever imagine that you can use light to move a microscopic plastic bead? Explore the forces on the bead or slow time to see the interaction with the lasers electric field. Use the optical tweezers to manipulate a single strand of DNA and explore the physics of tiny molecular motors. Can you get the DNA completely straight or stop the molecular motor?

Stretching DNA

Description: Explore stretching just a single strand of DNA using optical tweezers or fluid flow. Experiment with the forces involved and measure the relationship between the stretched DNA length and the force required to keep it stretched. Is DNA more like a rope or like a spring?

The Gene Scene

Description: Games and activities on DNA, genes, cloning, genetic careers, and more

The New Genetics Interactive Puzzle

Description: A genetic concepts crossword puzzel

Interactive Tutorials

A Gene is Made of DNA

Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic concepts of genes through historical discovery

Bacteria and Viruses Have DNA Too

Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic concepts of DNA through historical discovery

DNA and Proteins are Key Molecules of the Cell Nucleus


Gene's Are Real Things

Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic concepts of cells and genes through historical discovery

Genes Come in Pairs

Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic principles of traits and genes through Mendel's experiments

Heredity - Genetics


One Gene Makes One Protein

Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic concepts of DNA and proteins through historical discovery

The Gene Scene


Labs & Experiments

DNA Extraction

Description: A virtual DNA extraction laboratory experiment

DNA the Easy Way (And “Gram Stain” Without the Mess)

Description: This demonstration can be used to help students visualize DNA by lysing (breaking open) bacterial cells on a slide and “stringing up” the DNA with a toothpick in less than one minute.

Extracting DNA From Living Things


Restriction Analysis

Description: A DNA virtual laboratory experiment

Teacher Resources

cK-12 Foundation - Teachers

Description: Ck-12 Foundation offers life-science simulations to immerse students in an interactive learning experience, practice problems, free full-text FlexBook Textbooks, tools for leading group discussions and more.

Extracting DNA (Lesson Plans/Lesson Activities)

Description: In this lesson, students develop understanding of DNA by modeling the process of DNA extraction.

Genetic Timeline (Lesson Plans/Lesson Activities)

Description: A lesson plan highlighting key discoveries that have led to our present understanding of the human genome

Genomics and Human Identity (Lesson Plans/Lesson Activities)

Description: Bring genomics to life for your high school students with this lesson plan. The lessons encourage hands-on, inquiry-based learning and include genomic concepts and research projects.

Inside/Outside the Human Genome Project (Lesson Plans/Lesson Activities)


PBS LearningMedia™

Description: A Web site providing teachers with strategies, tools, and professional development resources for incorporating digital learning in the classroom

Power My Learning

Description: A web-based platform with online learning activities for K-12 students, parents, and educators. You will need to register to use the site, but registration is free.

Scitable Faculty Resources

Description: The Scitable faculty resource pages include a tool for creating virtual classrooms, the Scitable Faculty Discussion Group, and a variety of instructive courses for educators



Description: This webcast was created as a part of the April 2003 celebration of the completion of the Human Genome Project. It includes an interview with Dr. James Watson and Dr. Francis Collins.

Genetics of Development


Molecular Basis of Heredity: Part 1. Nucleic Acids

Description: Discover the fundamentals of DNA, RNA, nucleic acids and their roles within cells, with Raye Lynn Alford, PhD.

Molecular Basis of Heredity: Part 2. Genomes


Molecular Basis of Heredity: Part 3. Genetic Variation

Description: Join Raye Lynn Alford, PhD, as she explains the molecular basis of genetic variation, including mechanisms and types of DNA sequence variations, and patterns of inheritance of genetic disorders.

The Genome Era: What it Means to You

Description: The director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, describes the "genomic research adventure" that is leading to new and more precise ways to diagnose, treat and prevent common and rare genetic diseases. A variety of careers in genomics is presented.

The Power of Comparison: Unleashing the Dog Genome

Description: Dr. Elaine Ostrander of the National Human Genome Research Institute explains how comparing genomes between species opens the door to understanding the human genome.