Name(s)__________________________________ Period_________ Date________________________
Mining Phenotypes: How to set up a reverse genetics experiment with an
Arabidopsis thaliana mutant
Directions: Use the referenced slides to respond to the questions below.
ENGAGE:
1. Distinguish between phenotype and genotype: Slides 3, 4
2. Provide an example and definition of “forward genetics”. Slide 5
Example:
Definition:
3. Provide an example and definition of “reverse genetics”. Slide 6
Example:
Definition:
4. What are causes of variation in phenotype? Slide 9
EXPLORE
5. How do scientists “knock-out” genes in Arabidopsis thaliana? Slide 10 video
6. How do scientists screen phenotypes in Arabidopsis? Slides 13-16
Name(s)__________________________________ Period_________ Date________________________
Mining Phenotypes: How to set up a reverse genetics experiment with an
Arabidopsis thaliana mutant
7. What is a strategy scientists use to elicit phenotypic changes? Slide 17 video.
8. List 3 of the titles you found on the Araport app “50 years of Arabidopsis research” which are related
to a potential Arabidopsis gene mutation-phenotype experiment you might conduct. Slides 19-21
9. What sorts of information could you find in ThaleMine about your gene of interest? Slide 23
10. What might the gene product (protein) do? Record GO (gene ontology) terms provided on the gene
page. Slide 25
11. The Gene page usually provides publications. Do any of these measure something about what the
gene or gene product does? If so, include those method names (example: Protein gel electrophoresis)
12. What is gene expression? Slides 28-29
13. What molecules in the cell do scientists quantify when measuring gene expression? Slide 29
Name(s)__________________________________ Period_________ Date________________________
Mining Phenotypes: How to set up a reverse genetics experiment with an
Arabidopsis thaliana mutant
14. What methods do scientists use to measure gene expression? Slides 31-33
15. What does the Tissue Specific Expression information say about where in the plant the gene of
interest is expressed? Slide 34
13. What does the “Developmental map” tell you about when in the plant’s life cycle the gene is
expressed? How many days after planting might that part of the life cycle occur? Slide 35-36
14. What environmental factors affect expression of your gene of interest? What amounts were
provided (concentrations of solutions, for example)? Slide 37
EXPLAIN
Use the information you gathered to propose an experiment which might result in measurable
differences in response between wild type and mutant Arabidopsis. Describe the proposed treatment in
detail. Slide 38
Question:
What is the proposed treatment (in detail) and
why?
How might the mutant plant respond compared to
the wild type plant? Explain your thinking.
How could you measure the response? With what
instrument or method?
Your idea:
Name(s)__________________________________ Period_________ Date________________________
Mining Phenotypes: How to set up a reverse genetics experiment with an
Arabidopsis thaliana mutant
What part of the plant is likely to show a
response?
How many days after planting will pass until you
see an effect? Provide your rationale.
How often will you need to take measurements?
Provide your rationale.
EXTEND/ELABORATE
Obtain wild-type and mutant version of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds from www.ABRC.org , the
Partnership for Research and Education with Plants, or other provider to conduct your
proposed experiment. The experiment may be conducted in small groups or as a class project.
EVALUATE
Rubrics are provided for the written proposal, the proposal presentation and a final experiment
report.