LS-HHMI Outreach Summer Curriculum Project Classroom Resource Information Form
Title
Resource
Type
Description
Author(s)
Author
Institution(s)
Objective
Bacterial Transformation: Experimental Design Pre-Lab
(includes introductory powerpoint, activity cards, and teacher/student information sheet)
Lesson Plan
Activity X Lab Activity
Homework Assignment
Correlations
Other
<Specify>
In this pre-lab activity, students use graphic cards to make a flow chart/outline for the lab procedure for doing
bacterial transformation. Rather than the traditional, cookbook approach to this molecular biology lab, this activity
guides students in designing their own procedure. This activity is designed for advanced students, specifically for
use with AP Biology Lab 6.
Amy Dickson
Harvard University
Students will be able to:



understand, explain, and carry out the experimental techniques used to genetically engineer a
recombinant plasmid, and to do a bacterial transformation
identify proper tools and procedures used for specific biotechnology applications
set up a controlled experiment to demonstrate bacterial transformation
Key
Concepts
Bacterial transformation
Student
Prep
Before doing this activity, students should have a strong understanding of:
Experimental design
DNA structure and bacterial genetics
Gene regulation
Types of bacterial gene-swapping (conjugation, transduction, transformation)
Tools used in biotechnology (restriction enzymes, other DNA enzymes, etc.)
In addition, students should have prior experience designing their own procedures for other, less
technically complex labs, and drawing data tables.
Materials
Computer projector (for introductory powerpoint)
Optional: color printer (for printing cards in color); laminator (for laminating cards)
Grade
Level(s)
11-12th grade
Teacher
Prep Time
30 minutes
National
Standards
Content Standard A
State
Standards
Sources
Class Time
1 class period (45 minutes)
 Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
 Understandings about scientific inquiry
Content Standard C
 Molecular basis of heredity
Life Science Standard 3.2
Describe the basic process of DNA replication and how it relates to the transmission and conservation of
the genetic code. Explain the basic processes of transcription and translation, and how they result in the
expression of genes. Distinguish among the end products of replication, transcription, and translation.
This resource is designed as a pre-lab for AP Biology Lab 6, which is published in:
Biology Lab Manual For Students, (c) 2001 by College Entrance Examination Board.
While many lab kits can be used for this lab, this activity was designed for use with the pGLO Bacterial
Transformation Kit from Bio-Rad. The following Bio-Rad manual details the procedure in this activity:
pGLO Bacterial Transformation Kit, BioTechnology Explorer, Instruction Manual.
www.bio-rad.com
References
BioBusiness: How Businesses Use Recombinant DNA Technology to Meet Customers’ Needs, (c) 2005 by DESTINY
– UNC-Chapel Hill’s Traveling Science Learning Program. www.destiny.unc.edu
Assessment
Post lab assessment could include:
Analysis questions from AP Biology Lab 6
Formal written lab report, including an abstract.
The 2007 AP Biology Open Response Question #4, which asks students to explain the process and
potential uses of bacterial transformation.