Bacterial Mechanisms of Genetic Transfer
3D Models Project
Background Information:
Streptococcus pneumonia, commonly referred to as pneumococcus, is a bacterium
commonly found in the back of the nose in healthy people. Occasionally, pneumococcal
bacteria spread to other parts of the body and cause diseases such as ear infections, sinus
infections, pneumonia and meningitis. Before the introduction of penicillin, in the 1930’s, a
person might die from a pneumococcal infection. After the introduction of penicillin,
pneumococcal infections were effectively treated. However, strains of pneumococcal
bacteria resistant to penicillin were discovered in the 1960’s. Since then, new strains of
pneumococcal bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics have been emerging.
Over the last decade, almost every type of bacteria known to cause disease has become
stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are
threatening communities with strains of infectious diseases. Tuberculosis, gonorrhea,
malaria, skin infections (staph), pneumonia, strep throat and ear infections are just a few of
the diseases that have become harder to treat. For this reason, antibiotic resistance is one of
the Centers for Disease Control’s top concerns.
In this project, you will investigate the mechanisms by which DNA from one bacterial cell is
transferred to another bacterial cell. When the DNA that is transferred carries an antibiotic
resistant gene, the intercellular transfer enables the new cell to become antibiotic resistant.
Over time, one bacterial cell containing an antibiotic resistant gene could lead to an army of
superbugs.
There are three main mechanisms used by bacteria to transfer genetic material –
transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
Bacterial Mechanisms of Genetic Transfer
3D Models Project
Essential Understanding: Bacterial cells use multiple pathways to gain resistance to
antibiotics.
Essential Question: What methods do bacteria use to share antibiotic resistant genes?
Performance Objectives:
 I can research a genetic transfer mechanism that bacteria use to share antibiotic
resistant genes
 I can create a design plan for building a 3D model demonstrating one of the genetic
transfer mechanisms that bacteria use to share antibiotic resistant genes
 I can create a 3D model demonstrating one of the genetic transfer mechanisms used
by bacteria to share antibiotic resistant genes
 I can effectively present one genetic transfer method used by bacteria to my peers
Daily Project Schedule:
Friday Sept. 19th:
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


Research your team’s mechanism of genetic transfer and the steps involved
Meet with project team and brainstorm possible designs and materials to use
Decide as a group which design (or a combination of designs) will be used to
build the model.
Draw a design of your model
o Once main design has been agreed upon by the group & approved
by Mrs. Stewart, you may build.
Monday Sept. 22nd:


Build your model
Practice your presentation
Tuesday Sept. 23rd:

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Present models to class.
Take notes on other presentations to learn the mechanisms used by bacteria to
transfer genetic material and share antibiotic resistance.
Grading Information: This project is worth a total of 100 points.


75 points come from the model and the presentation (see rubric)
25 points come from peer evaluations (see rubric)
Bacterial Mechanisms of Genetic Transfer
3D Models Project
Model and Presentation Rubric
Category
Presentation
Accuracy of
final product
Detail
of final
product
Creativity of
final product
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point
Presentation is
clearly
organized into a
logical sequence
and shows a
high level of
preparation
among group.
Presentation is
highly
professional,
engaging and it
very effectively
presents
information to
class.
Final product
shows highly indepth, accurate
information;
including all
steps and
structures
involved
Presentation is
organized into a
logical sequence
and shows
preparation
among group.
Presentation is
professional,
engaging and it
effectively
presents
information to
class.
Presentation is
organized.
Presentation is
somewhat
professional.
Presentation
either lacks
engagement or
it ineffectively
presents
information to
class.
Presentation is
organized.
Presentation
lacks two of the
following:
professionalism
engagement
and/or concise
information.
Little or no
logical
organization;
presentation is
unclear and/or
confusing; does
not adequately
present
information;
poor
professionalism
Final product
shows in-depth
accurate
information,
including all
steps and
structures
involved
Final product
shows accurate
information, but
omits a step or
structure
involved
Final product
shows deficient
or inaccurate
information ;
missing one
step or
structure
involved
Highly detailed
structures and
sequence of
steps on model.
Model is easy to
decipher/under
stand and is
highly visually
appealing
Somewhat
detailed
structures and
sequence of
steps on model.
Model is easy to
decipher/under
stand and is
visually
appealing
Model shows
creativity in use
of items and
display
Detailed
structures and
sequence of
steps on model.
Model is not
easy to
decipher/under
stand or is not
visually
appealing.
Model is
creatively
displayed OR
has creative use
of items, but not
both.
Structures and
sequence of
steps on model
are present.
Model is hard to
decipher
and/or not
visually
appealing
Final product
shows deficient
or inaccurate
information ;
missing more
than one step or
structure
involved –
model not
complete
Model is
missing one or
more steps, or
structures;
model not
complete
Model shows
high creativity
in use of items
and display
Model is not
creatively
displayed NOR
is creative in
items used to
construct
Final Grade (out of 75 possible points)
Multiply
for final
point
value
X4
X5
X4
Model not
complete
X2
Total
points