Subject/Course Title: Biology-H
Unit Title/Skill Set: 7-8 Biotech and Patterns of
Inheritance
Overview: This unit explores various tools and applications of biotechnology that
impact the fields of medicine, forensics and agriculture and examines the
functional relationships between DNA, genes, alleles and chromosomes and how
observed patterns of inheritance and mathematical probability can be used to
predict genotypes and phenotypes.
Unit Essential Question(s): How do biotechnologies impact the fields of medicine,
forensics and agriculture?
How can observed patterns of inheritance be used to predict genotypes and phenotypes
of offspring?
Unit Competencies as Do Now’s
* What students need to be able to do (skills)
1. Describe tools used in genetic engineering.
2. Describe applications of genetic engineering.
3. Explain how genetic engineering has impacted the fields of medicine, forensics, and agriculture.
4 Explain the functional relationships between DNA, genes, alleles, and chromosomes and their roles in
inheritance.
9. Describe and/or predict observed patterns of inheritance.
Unit Concepts as Guided Reading Assignments
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*What students need to know
Tools of genetic engineering
o Gel electrophoresis
o PCR
o Restriction enzymes
o Bacterial and viral plasmids
o Recombinant DNA
o Gene splicing
o Selective breeding
o Cloning
o DNA Sequencing
Applications of genetic engineering
o DNA fingerprinting
o Genetically modified organisms in medicine and agriculture
o Gene Therapy
o Stem cell therapy
Human Genome Project
Common patterns of inheritance
Tools for predicting patterns of inheritance
o Punnett square
o Pedigree
o Mathematics of probability
Relationship between genotype and phenotype
GENETICS SYLLABUS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Every reading assignment is expected to be completed BEFORE you come to class. Confused
about the reading? Prepare questions to ask in class AS YOU READ.
Be a Scout and Be Prepared…Reading quizzes may be given at ANY time.
Homework is due ON THE DUE DATE (Sectionals—Turn in on the due date…Field trips
and illnesses—turn in on your first day back.).
Do Now’s are to be completed in class and turned in THAT BLOCK. (Absent??—Turn in
first day back. Questions on the reading that goes with the Do Now??—Turn in written
question specifying what you don’t understand. Be specific. Don’t say, “I don’t get it”.)
Vocabulary understanding is necessary. Attend to the words at the beginning of each
chapter, or words that you encounter that are new to you.
6. **In order for you to participate in structured activities and labs, you must have
your Guided Reading up-to-date as well as your vocabulary.
Day
Lesson
Homework/Due Dates
Biotech-Guided Reading, corrections
Read: Biotech packet reading
1-2
Biotech/Genetics Bubblegram
For additional info: Ch 13
Guided Reading, corrections
Read: Ch 9, 11, 12
3-4
Watch: videos: Amoeba Sisters episodes
14, 16, 17, 18 at:
Amoeba Sisters biology episodes in
sequence
DUE: Day 4 Bgram answers
Dominant, recessive, incomplete
5
DUE: Biotech Guided reading
dominance, codominance, genotype,
corrections
phenotype
Lab: Penny Toss
6-7
Punnett Square practice
Sex-linked traits, Pedigrees
Labs-Spot, Pure Gold
Sex-Linked Inheritance:
Interpreting Information in a Pedigree
Applied Genetics-Pedigree
8
Blood types, Polygenic
Labs-A Quick Switch (Blood types)
9
Genetic disorders
Lab-Genetic Disorder
DUE: Day 6-Genetics Guided reading
corrections
DUE: Do Now’s
Biotech/Genetics Vocabulary
1. Biotechnology-Any procedure or methodology that uses biological systems or
living organisms to develop or modify either products or processes for specific
use. This term is commonly associated with genetic engineering, which is one of
many applications.
2. Cloning-A process in which a cell’s chromosomes, which are diploid, are
transferred to an egg whose own chromosomes have been deleted. The egg cell
containing the diploid donor chromosomes are then implanted in a uterus and
develop into an exact copy of the donor organism.
3. Do-dominance-A pattern of inheritance in which the phenotypic effect of two
alleles in a heterozygous organism are seen equally in the phenotype.
4. Dominant Inheritance-A pattern of inheritance in which the allele (capital) is seen
in the phenotype when combined with another like it OR when combined with a
recessive (lower case).
5. Gene Recombination-A natural process in which DNA is broken and then joined
to a different molecule. An example is crossing-over.
6. Gene Splicing-A type of gene recombination in which the DNA is intentionally
broken and recombined using laboratory process. The resulting organism shows
traits that were not original to the organism. An example: Human insulin
producing bacteria.
7. Gene Therapy-The intentional insertion, alteration, or deletion of genes within an
individual’s cells and tissues for the purpose of treating a disease.
8. Genetic Engineering-A technology that includes the process of manipulating or
altering the genetic material of a cell resulting in desirable functions or outcomes
that would not occur naturally. Examples would include the use of #5, 6, 7.
9. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)-An organism whose genetic material has
been altered through some genetic engineering technology or technique. Ex: Corn
that has a gene resisting corn borer (a larvae that eats corn).
10. Genetics-The scientific study of inheritance.
11. Genotype-The genetic composition of an organism with reference to the
combination of alleles that code for specific proteins. Uses capital/lower case
letters.
12. Incomplete Dominance-A pattern of inheritance in which two alleles show an inbetween phenotype. Ex: Red (R) crossed with White (W) yields Pink (RW).
13. Inheritance-The process in which genetic material is passed from parents to
offspring.
14. Nondisjunction-The process in which sister chromatids fail to separate during and
after mitosis or meiosis. Ex: 3 chromosome #21 produces Down’s Syndrome.
15. Phenotype-The observable expression (proteins) of the genotype. Uses adjectives
to describe.
16. Polygenic Trait-A trait in which the phenotype is controlled by two or more genes
at different locations on different chromosomes. Ex: Height, skin color, hair color.
Those traits that have many phenotypes outcomes.
17. Recessive Inheritance-A pattern of inheritance in which the phenotype (what you
see) is produced only when combined with another recessive (lower case). Ex: bb
produces blue eyes, whereas Bb produces brown eyes.
18. Selective Breeding-The process of mating specific parents to produce a specific
outcome in offspring. Ex: Triple Crown winning stallion mated with a Triple
Crown winning mare.
19. Sex-Linked Traits-A trait that is carried on the X sex chromosome by either the
male or female parent. Ex: Color-blindness, hemophilia.
Biotechnology Guided Reading Text
Restriction Enzyme
A restriction enzyme is a tool used in genetic engineering that "chops up" (or technically, digests) DNA at
designated nucleotide locations along the DNA chain. Every different type of restriction enzyme has a
different place where it will "cut" the DNA. Common restriction enzymes include EcoRI, HindIII, and
HpaI. Restriction enzymes are synthesized in certain bacterial cells.
Restriction Enzyme
A restriction enzyme (or restriction endonuclease) is an enzyme that cuts DNA at or near specific
recognition nucleotide sequences known as restriction sites.[1][2][3] Restriction enzymes are commonly
classified into three types, which differ in their structure and whether they cut their DNA substrate at their
recognition site, or if the recognition and cleavage sites are separate from one another. To cut DNA, all
restriction enzymes make two incisions, once through each sugar-phosphate backbone (i.e. each strand) of
the DNA double helix.
These enzymes are found in bacteria and archaea and provide a defense mechanism against invading
viruses.[4][5] Inside a prokaryote, the restriction enzymes selectively cut up foreign DNA in a process called
restriction; while host DNA is protected by a modification enzyme (a methylase) that modifies the
prokaryotic DNA and blocks cleavage. Together, these two processes form the restriction modification
system.[6]
Over 3000 restriction enzymes have been studied in detail, and more than 600 of these are available
commercially.[7] These enzymes are routinely used for DNA modification in laboratories, and are a vital
tool in molecular cloning.[8][9][10]
Plasmid
Figure 1: Illustration of a bacterium with plasmid enclosed showing chromosomal DNA and plasmids.
A plasmid is a small DNA molecule that is physically separate from, and can replicate independently of,
chromosomal DNA within a cell. Most commonly found as small circular, double-stranded DNA molecules
in bacteria, plasmids are sometimes present in archaea and eukaryotic organisms. In nature, plasmids carry
genes that may benefit survival of the organism (e.g. antibiotic resistance), and can frequently be
transmitted from one bacterium to another (even of another species) via horizontal gene transfer. Artificial
plasmids are widely used as vectors in molecular cloning, serving to drive the replication of recombinant
DNA sequences within host organisms.[1]
Vector
In molecular cloning, a vector is a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to artificially carry foreign genetic
material into another cell, where it can be replicated and/or expressed. A vector containing foreign DNA is
termed recombinant DNA. The four major types of vectors are plasmids, viral vectors, cosmids, and
artificial chromosomes. Common to all engineered vectors are an origin of replication, a multicloning site,
and a selectable marker.
The vector itself is generally a DNA sequence that consists of an insert (transgene) and a larger sequence
that serves as the "backbone" of the vector. The purpose of a vector which transfers genetic information to
another cell is typically to isolate, multiply, or express the insert in the target cell. Vectors called expression
vectors (expression constructs) specifically are for the expression of the transgene in the target cell, and
generally have a promoter sequence that drives expression of the transgene. Simpler vectors called
transcription vectors are only capable of being transcribed but not translated: they can be replicated in a
target cell but not expressed, unlike expression vectors. Transcription vectors are used to amplify their
insert.
Insertion of a vector into the target cell is usually called transformation for bacterial cells, transfection for
eukaryotic cells, although insertion of a viral vector is often called transduction.
Cloning Vectors
The molecular analysis of DNA has been made possible by the cloning of DNA. The two
molecules that are required for cloning are the DNA to be cloned and a cloning vector.
Cloning vector - a DNA molecule that carries foreign DNA into a host cell, replicates inside a
bacterial (or yeast) cell and produces many copies of itself and the foreign DNA
Three features of all cloning vectors
1. sequences that permit the propagation of itself in bacteria (or in yeast for YACs)
2. a cloning site to insert foreign DNA; the most versatile vectors contain a site that can be
cut by many restriction enzymes
3. a method of selecting for bacteria (or yeast for YACs) containing a vector with foreign
DNA; uually accomplished by selectable markers for drug resistance
Types of Cloning Vectors
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Plasmid - an extrachromosomal circular DNA molecule that autonomously replicates
inside the bacterial cell; cloning limit: 100 to 10,000 base pairs or 0.1-10 kilobases (kb)
Phage - derivatives of bacteriophage lambda; linear DNA molecules, whose region can
be replaced with foreign DNA without disrupting its life cycle; cloning limit: 8-20 kb
Cosmids - an extrachromosomal circular DNA molecule that combines features of
plasmids and phage; cloning limit - 35-50 kb
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BAC) - based on bacterial mini-F plasmids. cloning
limit: 75-300 kb
Yeast Artificial Chromosomes (YAC) - an artificial chromosome that contains
telomeres, origin of replication, a yeast centromere, and a selectable marker for
identification in yeast cells; cloning limit: 100-1000 kb
General Steps of Cloning with Any Vector
1. prepare the vector and DNA to be cloned by digestion with restriction enzymes to
generate complementary ends
2. ligate the foreign DNA into the vector with the enzyme DNA ligase
3. introduce the DNA into bacterial cells (or yeast cells for YACs) by transformation
4. select cells containing foreign DNA by screening for selectable markers (usually drug
resistance)
Copyright © 1997. Phi
llip McClean
Sticky ends
DNA end or sticky end refers to the properties of the end of a molecule of DNA or a recombinant DNA
molecule. The concept is important in molecular biology, especially in cloning or when subcloning inserts
DNA into vector DNA. All the terms can also be used in reference to RNA. The sticky ends or cohesive
ends form base pairs. Any two complementary cohesive ends can anneal, even those from two different
organisms. This bondage is temporary however, and DNA ligase will eventually form a covalent bond
between the sugar-phosphate residue of adjacent nucleotides to join the two molecules together.
Ligase
In biochemistry, ligase (from the Latin verb ligāre — "to bind" or "to glue together") is an enzyme that can
catalyze the joining of two large molecules by forming a new chemical bond, usually with accompanying
hydrolysis of a small chemical group dependent to one of the larger molecules or the enzyme catalyzing the
linking together of two compounds, e.g., enzymes that catalyze joining of C-O, C-S, C-N, etc. In general, a
ligase catalyzes the following reaction:
Ab + C → A–C + b or sometimes Ab + cD → A–D + b + c where the lowercase letters signify
the small, dependent groups.
Sorting out all the pieces
Electrophoresis is a special technique used in genetic engineering to separate and identify DNA
fragments. Here's a brief overview of how this process works:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Chop up the DNA into little pieces by using something known as a
restriction
enzyme. More than one enzyme may be used if necessary. This is technically known as
"digesting" the DNA.
Gather up the digested DNA and dye it if necessary. it up into an instrument known as a
micropipeter and inject it into a well in the agarose gel. This gel is a special type of gel that
allows the DNA to move through it.
Run an electrical current through the agarose gel. The current should run such that the negative
electrode is nearest the wells, and the positive electrode is at the opposite end.
After running the current for the designated time, you will see the little pieces of DNA have
moved down through the gel and have formed lines. Below is a diagram of what this should
finally look like:
The DNA fragments move because the DNA backbone contains the phosphate ion, which is charged
slightly negative. Remember that "opposites attract" so the negatively-charged DNA makes its way
towards the positive electrode. As shown by the diagram, the smaller pieces move farther than the larger
pieces. For an analogy of why this happens, picture a mouse and an elephant running through a dense
redwood forest. The smaller mouse doesn't have to slow down to knock down the trees or find a wideenough path to fit through, so it can make it though the dense forest much faster than the larger
elephant. Similarly, it's easier for the smaller pieces to move farther through the agarose gel.
But how is this useful?
DNA electrophoresis has three main uses:
1) To isolate DNA fragments so that they can be incorporated into
a
plasmid or some other
vector. Once this is done, the
host cell can begin producing the useful protein that is produced by
the gene within that DNA fragment.
2) To map DNA so that we know the exact order of the nucleic acid
base pairs (A, T, C, or G) along a DNA strand.
3) To perform DNA Fingerprinting, which can be used to test
organic items, such as hair or blood, and match them with the person
that they came from. This is useful in criminal investigations.
Genetics Disorders
Background:
Sometimes, chromosomes in gamete cells become damaged and carry mutations on their
genes. When this happens, the mutations may be passed on to offspring. When an
organism is born with a mutation caused in this manner, it is called a disorder (a disease
is something you catch from someone else). Disorders are usually thought of as those
mutations that cause problems in life processes, such as metabolic disorders, reproductive
disorders, muscular disorders, neurological disorders, etc. They may range in severity
from minimal (not serious at all) to lethal (will kill the organism). Most frequently,
disorder mutations, because they are carried in every cell of the body, are difficult to
impossible to treat. It is estimated that the cells in a human body make approximately
20,000 copies every day. That’s a lot of mutation that gets copied!
Method:
1. You will read about the disorders listed on your handout.
2. Choose 2 recessive traits, 1 dominant trait, 1 meiosis mutation, 1 heterozygous
trait.
3. Complete the chart for these traits.
4. Choose one disorder for which to make a model.
a. The model must have a Title, and labels  .
b. You must identify cause and effect of the disorder.
Discussion Questions, Choose two to complete:
1. Using a graphic organizer, compare and contrast traits inheritances patterns that
are dominant, recessive, heterozygous, and meiosis mutations.
2. Using actual disorders, compare the symptoms of traits with inheritance patters
that are dominant, recessive, heterozygous, and meiosis mutations.
3. Use unit packet material as evidence (any of the ‘mini’ lab activities) to:
a. Explain one inheritance pattern using specific examples. For example, you
may choose sex-linked traits and use the hemophilia activity to explain
how the trait is passed, and who is more likely to inherit it and why.
i. Who is more likely to inherit
ii. How does he/she inherit
iii. Why does he/she inherit
b. Make either Punnett squares or meiosis as a visual aid.
c. Make a key.
d. Identify which offspring are affected.
______Score
Patterns of Inheritance-Genetics Do Now’s
Name_____________________
*Rephrase the question in your answer.
*Use complete sentences with punctuation.
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