Engaging the Student (Entry Task) 

Checking for Understanding (exit ticket)

1 class period 

Write on the board the following three words:

• RFLP's
• Restriction Enzymes
• Electrophoresis

Have them share out at their tables anything they think they know about any of those words. Have each table share out.

Now, hand out the following document to each table:

• RFLP's & Polymorphisms

Give students time to read through and discuss the document, then return to your initial question and have table groups share out. 

• Student Instruction Sheet (Version 1)
• Student Instruction Sheet (Version 2) 

There are two versions of this activity:

• Version 1: Students write their own sentences (to represent DNA segments) on graph paper.
• Version 2: Students are given paragraphs about elephants to cut into strips.

(The graph paper version is more direct and takes less time, but the elephant-paragraph version allows for more discussion).

View the full lesson plan here:

• Lesson 3-2 Option 2: Alternate Paper RFLP Lab
• RFLP Learning Assessment (Exit Ticket): KEY 

OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand how DNA is analyzed in forensics, diseases, paternity, species comparison, ancient DNA, mutations, and preparing a DNA fragment for recombinant DNA work. 
2. To understand the basic principle of how endonucleases (restriction enzymes) are used to fragment DNA into smaller pieces.
3. To introduce and explain RFLP's- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms, an understanding of which will be critical in understanding the Elephant Ivory DNA lab. 

• One of the following:
• Graph paper (Version 1, half sheet of 1/4" graph paper) 
• Elephant Paragraphs (Version 2)
• Scissors
• Tape or Glue 

• RFLP Learning Assessment