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Restriction Enzyme Activity
1. Students start with a budget of $60,000.
2. Start with a plasmid.
*Have a variety of 4 different plasmids. Plasmids cost $10,000
*Have students cut out and assemble plasmids as rings using keys found at the edges of the codes.
*Different colored paper should be used for each plasmid.
2. Have students roll dice to determine what restriction enzymes they will receive. Each total of two dice corresponds to a different restriction enzyme that contains a certain sequence of genes that will code for a certain trait. Restriction enzymes cost $5000 each. Restriction enzymes should be printed on white paper.
The following traits can be chosen along with the purchase of each restriction enzyme. Only certain traits can be incorporated into the plasmid using some restriction enzymes.
*Abundance of hair *tolerance to pain
*Pronounced incisors
*Claws
*Pointed ears
*super strength
*superior vision
*Regenerative ability
*Sensitivity to light
*sensitivity to silver
*transmutation (shape change)
3. Each restriction enzyme costs money to purchase and won’t necessarily work on their plasmid. Some may be duplicated, but will simply purchase the same restriction enzyme.
*Restriction enzymes should already be prepared and available with different codes and some straight ends and other sticky ends.
4. Students will need scissors and tape for this activity.
5. Once REs and traits are obtained, students will use them to insert the genes. After they have made their new recombinant DNA (plasmid), they should describe what characteristics they are bestowing unto their creations. They should draw a plasmid map as well as sketch their new organism.
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Enzyme Chart
The lines indicate where cuts would be made in the actual DNA sequence.
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Restriction Enzyme Activity (Student Guide)
1. You have a budget of $60,000 for your lab.
2. There are four different plasmids. The cost of a plasmid is $10,000. You may choose more than one plasmid, but each will cost you $10,000 and take away from the amount of money you can spend on restriction enzymes.
3. Restriction enzymes are available for you to use to cut your plasmids. Remember, they are specific to certain gene sequences. On the back of this page is a chart showing the restriction enzymes and how they will cut DNA sequences. In order to receive restriction enzymes, you must pay $5,000 per enzyme and will be given 2 dice. Roll the dice to discover which restriction enzymes you have purchased. You may purchase as many restriction enzymes as you have money.
4. For each restriction enzyme you purchase, you may choose the gene sequences for certain traits to insert into your plasmid. Remember, certain restriction enzymes will only allow certain traits to be inserted. Some are very specific (those with sticky ends), while others are a little more general (those with blunt ends).
5. Use the worksheet to keep track of the restriction enzymes you purchase, as well as the traits you receive.
6. When you have made all of your purchases, search your plasmid to see which restriction enzymes will work for you and carefully cut the plasmid (using scissors) as your restriction enzyme instructs. Use tape to insert your genes (traits)—this will act like the ligase molecules that would put your plasmids back together.
7. When you finish, draw a plasmid map that roughly shows where you have inserted new DNA into your plasmid. Then, make a sketch of the organism that your recombinant DNA (the newly mixed DNA) will instruct the cells to produce based on what traits you have managed to insert.
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Student Worksheet—Restriction Enzyme Activity
1. I purchased plasmid # _____ .
2. I purchased the following restriction enzymes and received the following traits:
(Roll the dice to see which REs you obtained.) a. RE# Trait: b. RE# Trait: c. RE# Trait: d. RE# e. RE# f. RE#
Trait:
Trait:
Trait: g. RE# h. RE#
Trait:
Trait: i. RE# Trait: j. RE# Trait:
3. Use your scissors to cut the four pieces of your plasmid and match the numbers at the top and bottom of each string of DNA to assemble your plasmid. Assemble the plasmid using tape.
4. Scan your plasmid for the DNA sequences that are affected by the restriction enzymes.
Remember, all of your restriction enzymes may not work on your plasmid. Place checks by the restriction enzymes that will cut your plasmid. Then, look at the codes of the genes (traits) and place a check by which traits you can insert into your plasmid.
5. Use the scissors to cut your plasmid according to the restriction enzyme chart. Then, cut your traits and use tape to insert them into the cut plasmid. When you are done, you should have a circular plasmid once again that contains the newly inserted genes.
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6. Label a plasmid map that shows your plasmid and the location of the new genes that have been inserted. Use colored pencils to show the original parts of the plasmid and the new genes.
7. Make a sketch of the monster you have created based on the traits you have inserted into its genetic code.
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