MS-LS3-1: Mutations - Harmful, Beneficial or Neutral

Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on conceptual understanding that changes in genetic material may result in making different proteins.

Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations.

Science Practices
Developing and Using Models

Crosscutting Concepts
Structure and Function

Assessments

 

The following assessments were created by science teachers hoping to better understand the NGSS. In most cases teachers went from standard to assessment in around an hour.  These are drafts and should be used accordingly. Feel free to improve these assessments or contribute to the collection. Learn more about assessment design here.

Assessment Project
The Effect of Global Cimate Change on Gene Mutations
MS-LS3-1 Assessment - Blind Cave Fish
MS-LS3-1 Assessment - Mutations

Phenomena

 

Concepts

Chromosomes
Genes
Proteins
Traits of organisms
Mutations
 - Harmful
 - Beneficial
 - Neutral
Structure and function 

Videos

Lesson Plans

 

Storylines

 

*Next Generation Science Standards is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.  Visit the official NGSS website.