In Investigation One, you will analyze how the genetic information contained in DNA is transferred to RNA and then translated into proteins. During this Investigation, you will:

1. Determine the base sequence of an RNA molecule that corresponds to the DNA then compared both sequences. 
2. Use gram cubes to model an RNA message then isolated the codons within the sequence.
3. Construct a model protein.
4. Identify mutations within a DNA sequence as a substitution, insertion, or deletion and their effects on the RNA translation and protein function.

In Investigation Two, you will analyze how the sequence of the amino acids in a protein can affect the structure of the protein. During this Investigation, you will:

1. Model a wild type protein and 4 mutations.
2. Observe the effects of mutations on protein structure and function.
3. Calculate the rate of water transfer of mutant and wild-type proteins using the following formula:

In Investigation Three, you will analyze how cells divide and transfer the genetic information contained in DNA from one cell to another. During this Investigation, you will:

1. Model cell cycle, cell division, and chromosome activity.
2. Model pairs of homologous chromosomes and their duplication.
3. Identify stages of mitosis.

This Performance Assessment is designed to allow students to solve a problem using the:

• concepts with which they have become familiar during the previous three Investigations, and
• procedures used during the previous three Investigations.