By: Becka Kangas
Teachers page

Students click HERE to skip this
section
Teachers click the arrow to
continue through the teacher
information section.
Target Audience
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 9th grade biology students
 Should know mitosis and meiosis.
 Should have had an introduction to Mendelian and
Non-Mendelian genetics material.
 Should have a basic understanding of the use of lab
equipment and accurate lab technique.
Learning Environment
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 Learning will occur in the classroom and lab.
 Student should have access to a laboratory setting for
the basics of PCR.
 Computers will be necessary for the online portion of
the lab, also accessing the powerpoint.
Objective PCR
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 Given the proper lab equipment students
should be able to explain and carry out the
basic steps of a polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) with 75% accuracy.
Objective GMOs
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 Given an evaluation sheet students should be able to
identify genetically modified organisms with 90%
accuracy and explain the purpose and process of
genetic modification with 80% accuracy.
Basic Information
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 Shapes like these:
on the following pages
have been hyperlinked. When you go to make a
selection of a topic or choose an answer click on the
dark green shape unless told otherwise.
Home

Polymerase Chain Reactions and Genetically
Modified Organisms
PCR
GMOS
Information
Information
Directions
Directions
Quiz
Quiz
Genetically Modified Organisms
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 Genetically modified organisms are important in
daily life and they are the product of genetic
engineer’s hard work! Knowing the basics about this
genetic modification can demystify the rumors and
help lead to better designed products.
GMO Orientation
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Read over the information carefully, watch the video
within the powerpoint, and proceed to the quiz at the
end. Try your best to get all the quiz questions right!
Information
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 Gene: A distinct sequence of nucleotides forming
Part of a chromosome.
 Transgenic: describes an organism that has had
Genes from another organism inserted into its genome.
 GMO stands for genetically modified organism.
 This happens when a gene is moved from one organism to another to
improve or change it.
 This also happens when an organism is selectively bred.
 Selective Breeding: breeding specific plants or animals for particular
genetic traits.
GMOS background information
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 Genetic modification adds natural insect and
herbicide resistance in plants so they don’t have to
be sprayed with pesticides that hurt the
environment.
 Genetic modification is exact (only the desired gene
is inserted and changed) and immediate.
 Selective breeding may take generations and all
genetic material (even unwanted genes) are
transferred.
GMOs information
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 Watch the embedded video below:
All of these are types of GMOs
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Think about the types of GMOs around you! All of the pictures on
this slide are GMOs; can you think of any more?
GMO Question 1
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Which of these is NOT a GMO?
Correct!
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Chairs aren’t
living things so
they contain no
genetic material to
be modified!
Incorrect!

Remember that in order for an organism to be
modified it needs to have living cells with DNA
to be replicated.
Please review the material or try
again!
GMO Question 2
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Is food genetically modified?
True
False
True! Correct!
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Food is selectively breed and subject to transgenic (movement
of one gene from one organism to another organism) action to
add natural herbicide and insect resistance so pesticides don’t
have to be used.
Try Again!

Remember what a genetically
modified organism is!
Please try again or review the
information.
GMO Question 3

GMO stands for ___ ______ ____ and is defined
as ____?
Genetically Modified Organism; an organism that has had its
genes specifically selected and bred or transgenically altered.
Genetically Mutated Organism; an organism with severe
mutations.
Genetically Modified Organism; an organism far along the
evolutionary pathway.
Right!
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GMO is a genetically modified organism
whose had its genes specifically selected
and bred or transgenically altered
Sorry!

Think about what a GMO really
is and how the name describes
its purpose.
Try again or review the
material!
GMO Question 4
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Is genetically modified food safe?
Yes
No
You got it!

Genetically modified food is
engineered to be safe.
If you haven’t completed the section
on PCR click HERE to go through the
section. If you have completed both
the PCR and GMOs section, then
you’re done! Congratulations!
Not quite!

Try again please.
Otherwise review the material by
clicking the home button and
reading through the GMO section
again.
Polymerase Chain
Reactions
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This is one of the most biologically
significant procedures! It’s used to amplify
tiny bits of very important DNA sequences
that can be used in medicine or forensics.
So many fields use this procedure directly
or indirectly so it helps to know something
about it!
PCR Orientation
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 Read through the information carefully.
 Watch the embedded video.
 Do the linked virtual lab.
 Be sure to proceed to the quiz at the end and answer
all the questions.
PCR Information
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 PCR is a simple and inexpensive tool that can be
used to amplify a specific gene.
 Define Gene: A distinct sequence of nucleotides
forming part of a chromosome.
 PCR is used to diagnose diseases, identify bacteria and
viruses, paternity tests, the creation of phylogenetic
trees, and it’s used to match people to crime scenes.
 PCR can generate 100 billion identical copies of a
specific DNA sequence in just a few hours!
PCR basic definitions
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Nucleotides : Adenine, Thymine,
Cytosine, and Guanosine (A,T,C, and G)
that make up the DNA (building blocks of
DNA).
 Primers : Attach to sites on DNA
strands that are at either end of the
selected segment and copy a short
sequence.
 DNA Polymerase : attach the matching
DNA nucleotides in the correct
sequence by reading the opposite
strand.
PCR Steps
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 The first four steps are additions of different
molecules:
 1) Add a sample of DNA to a PCR test tube.
 2) Add primers 1 and 2 which will attach to specific
sequences.
 3) Add nucleotides to PCR tube.
 4) Add Taq polymerase (which can sustain high
heat) to the PCR tube to help with replication.
PCR Steps
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 5) Heat at 95˚C to separate the two DNA strands
 6) Cool at 50˚C so the primers can attach to specific
sequences.
 7) Set at 75˚C to activate DNA polymerase to copy
the sequence.
 8) Repeat many times to amplify the DNA.
PCR Video
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PCR Application
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Click the link at the bottom to do a virtual PCR lab.
Once you have finished this and feel confident go onto
the quiz. Click the forward arrow.
Otherwise click the back arrow or the home button to
review.
Http://Learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/PCR/
PCR Question 1
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What is the 5th step of a PCR reaction?
Add Primers 1 and 2 to the PCR tube.
Heat at 95˚C to separate the DNA strands.
Repeat many times to amplify DNA.
Add Taq-polymerase to the PCR tube.
Correct! Good Job!

During the 5th step the solution is heated at 95˚C to
separate the DNA strands!
Try again!

Think about the process of PCR
and note the specific order each
step happens in.
If you need more help please go
back and review the material.
PCR Question 2
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What kind of people use PCR to help with
their work?
Doctors
Forensic scientists
Firefighters
All of the above
Only A & B
You’re right!

Doctors and forensic
scientists use PCR to
complete their jobs.
Think about it!

What would a doctor do with PCR?
What would a forensic scientist use
it for? Would a firefighter use it?
Try again or go back and review!
PCR Question 3
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Why are primers added to the PCR tube?
To speed up the reaction.
To serve as the building blocks of DNA.
To attach to selected sequences and prepare
a short segment of DNA to be copied.
Correct!

Primers attach to DNA and
copy a short segment of it!
Incorrect!

Please try again or review the material.
Think about the definitions of the words
nucleotides and enzymes.
PCR Question 4
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What are nucleotides?
Building blocks of DNA
Random letters
Something that copies DNA
They’re part of the heating process
Good job!
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Nucleotides
are the adanine,
thymine, cytosine, and
guanosine (the A,T,C, and G)
that makes up the different
DNA strands. They’re DNA’s
building blocks.
Continue to the GMO section
by clicking HERE.
Otherwise great job!!! You’re
done!!
Incorrect!

Please review the material or try
again.
Resources:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-new-weapons-of-genetic-by-Rady-Ananda-090315-278.html
http://www.thegeminigeek.com/genetic-engineering-curse-or-blessing/
http://grow.ars-informatica.ca/gallery.php?img=19
http://remodelista.com/posts/10-easy-pieces-red-dining-chairs
http://www.babyannouncementwording.org/
http://www.goodfinancialcents.com/top-6-reasons-high-school-students-invest/
http://www.pakstudy.com/web/node/1029
http://www.aircleansystems.net/PCR_Workstation.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_organism
http://todaysmama.com/2011/05/link-between-gmos-miscarriage-infertility-and-birth-defects/
http://worldissupediah.wikispaces.com/Genetically+Modified+Foods+%26+Crops
Resources (continued):
http://www.csiro.au/resources/WhatIsGM.html
http://www.dna-sequencing-service.com/dna-sequencing/gene-dna/
http://pribek.net/tag/monkey/
http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2007/04/hot_tomatos.html
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=that-burger-youre-eating-is-mostly-corn
http://blackchristiannews.com/news/2009/07/watch-new-study-finds-babies-in-utero-have-short-term-memory.html
http://www.sayerji.com/published-writings/opening-pandoras-bread-box-the-critical-role-of-wheat-lectin-in-humandisease
http://jimmeads.blogspot.com/2008/11/zebra-fish-and-their-glow-in-dark.html
http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/appraisals/antique-chair-appraisals-0209
http://www.theurbanacre.com/category/heatlh-and-nutrition.html
http://topnews.ae/content/27304-gene-connected-congenital-heart-malformations-may-have-been-discovered
http://peaceiscomingforyou.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/are-gmos-vegan/
http://www.paypercloud.com/datacenter-flood-safety.aspx
http://www.123rf.com/photo_5168061_illustration-of-a-red-thumb-down-button.html
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/pcr/
Resources (Continued):
http://www.ivf1.com/pgd-pcr/
http://www.foodsafetywatch.com/public/1050.cfm
http://www.yourperspectiveonline.com/2011/06/are-doctors-a-bunch-of-greedy-cowards/
http://myweb.stedwards.edu/caleman/Careers%20in%20FS.html
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/Molbio/MolStudents/spring2002/Robinson/Isocitrate-main-page.html
http://www.t3portal.org/T3_Portal_v1/!SSL!/WebHelp/ales_vancura/Nucleotides_and_Nucleic_Acids.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KoLnIwoZKU