(Secondary)
(Gene Activity and Biotechnology)
(July 2013)
Unit Statement: This unit covers an in-depth study of the structure of DNA, its transcription and translation processes, the controlling agents in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells as well as the exploration of gene alterations through laboratory experiments. Gene mutations and natural and human impacts on genetic modification will also be discussed.
Overview – Gene Activity and Biotechnology (3 weeks):
1.
Overview of research leading to discovery of DNA as genetic material.
2.
Review how DNA is duplicated, transcribed and translated
3.
Mechanisms of DNA control and regulation
4.
Protein Synthesis
5.
Viruses and retroviruses
6.
Biotechnology and bioethics including transgenic food and cloning.
Essential Outcomes: (must be assessed for mastery)
1.
T he S tudent W ill construct scientific explanations that use the structures and mechanisms of DNA and RNA to support the claim that DNA and, in some cases, that RNA are the primary sources of heritable information.
2.
TSW justify the selection of data from historical investigations that support the claim that DNA is the source of heritable information.
3.
TSW predict how a change in a specific DNA or RNA sequence can result in changes in gene expression.
4.
TSW explain how the regulation of gene expression is essential for the processes and structures that support efficient cell function.
5.
TSW use representations to describe how gene regulation influences cell products and function.
6.
TSW explain how signal pathways mediate gene expression, including how this process can affect protein production.
7.
TSW use representations to describe mechanisms of the regulation of gene expression.
8.
TSW describe the connection between the regulation of gene expression and observed differences between different kinds of organisms.
33
QSI AP BIOLOGY E06 SEC
Copyright © 1988-2013

9.
TSW describe the connection between the regulation of gene expression and observed differences between individuals in a population.
10.
TSW refine representations to illustrate how interactions between external stimuli and gene expression result in specialization of cells, tissues and organs.
11.
TSW use representations and appropriate models to explain how viruses and viral replication introduce genetic variation in host organisms and the viral population.
12.
TSW justify the claim that humans can manipulate heritable information by identifying at least two commonly used technologies.
Suggested Chapters (Campbell):
●
●
16 - The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
17 - From Gene to Protein
●
●
●
●
18 - Regulation of Gene Expression
19 - Viruses
20 - Biotechnology
21- Genomes and Their Evolution
Suggested Chapters (Starr):
●
●
●
●
13 – DNA Structure and Function
14 – From DNA to Protein
15 – Control over Genes
16 – Studying and Manipulating Genomes
21 – Viruses and Prokaryotes (21.1, 21.2) ●
Suggested Overview of Lecture and Discussion Topics:
1.
Overview of research leading to discovery of DNA as genetic material.
2.
Review how DNA is duplicated, transcribed and translated
3.
Mechanisms of DNA control and regulation
4.
Protein Synthesis
5.
Viruses and retroviruses
6.
Biotechnology and bioethics including transgenic food and cloning.
Suggested Activities:
1.
Read and Watson and Crick’s original paper on DNA shape. Classroom discussion on the effect on science of this discovery will follow.
2.
Model methyl and acetyl group additions to DNA from http://Teach.Genetics.utah.edu
3.
Students will complete a transcription and translation activity called “Making
Sentences”.
4.
Students will construct a model of the lac operon or the trip operon and discuss the differences between inducible and repressible operons.
34
QSI AP BIOLOGY E06 SEC
Copyright © 1988-2013

5.
Biotechnology: Bacterial Transformation: AP Investigation 8 (SmartScience
Lab: Bacterial Transformation)
6.
Biotechnology: Restriction Enzyme Analysis of DNA: AP Investigation 9
(Smartscience Lab: Restriction Enzyme Analysis, Gel Electrophoresis)
7.
Gene Expression Simulation ( http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/geneexpression-basics )
8.
Gene Machine: The Lac Operon ( http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/genemachine-lac-operon )
9.
Stretching DNA ( http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/stretching-dna )
10.
HHMI Biointeractives about Bees and Viruses.*
Technology Links
● Genetic Science Learning Center : This site has information regarding gene therapy, stem cell research, cloning and much more, lots of interactive animations.
● DNA interactive : This website has historic videos, interactive animations and is an excellent review of DNA structure, functions, and current technological applications.
●
●
DNA Animation Library: Links connect you to animations of PCR, Southern
Blotting, and gel electrophoresis.
DNA From the Beginning : An animated primer on the basics of DNA, genes, and heredity.
●
●
●
●
BioChem Net; Molecular Genetics: A collection of web links about molecular genetics, biotechnology, sequencing databases, problem sets, and more.
Bacterial Genetica and Recombinant DNA Technology Tutorials: A collection of tutorials on these topics.
DNA Replication animations : Narrated animations depicting DNA replication, the
Hershey & Chase experiment, and the Meselson & Stahl Experiment.
Gene animations : Narrated animations depicting various aspects of gene expression
& protein synthesis.
●
●
Control of Gene Expression animations : Narrated animations depicting various aspects of gene expression, including lac operon & tryptophan repressor.
Biotechnology animations : A broad array of narrated animations depicting various aspects of biotechnology, including restriction enzymes, RFLPs, PCR, Southern blots & microarrays.
QSI AP BIOLOGY E06 SEC
Copyright © 1988-2013
35

Suggested Rubric:
The students will be evaluated for each unit according to the following rubric:
Above Mastery (A) Mastery (B) In Progress (P)
Multiple Choice Unit
Exam (s)
93% or better 86% - 92.9% 85.9% or lower
Free Response
Question
Laboratory
Experiment (s)
8 or better on the unique rubric written for each question
5 – 7 on the unique rubric written for each question
4 or below on the unique rubric written for each question
Laboratory experiments were performed, data collected and analyzed, and written in a concise, clear, and accurate manner with graphics/diagrams neat and complete and appropriate terminology according to teacher’s instructions.
If formal lab is requested – use Lab
Report Rubric
Laboratory experiments were performed, data collected and analyzed, and written in a concise, clear, and accurate manner with graphics/diagrams relatively neat and complete and generally appropriate terminology according to teacher’s instructions. If formal lab is requested – use Lab
Report Rubric
Laboratory experiments were performed and written in a concise, clear, and accurate manner with graphics/diagrams lacking in neatness and completeness and some appropriate terminology according to teacher’s instructions. If formal lab is requested – use
Lab Report
Rubric.
Study Guide,
Worksheets,
Homework, and
Notebook
Study Guides,
Worksheets, and
Notebooks are consistently up to date, neat, and accurate.
Information can be easily accessed.
Study Guides,
Worksheets, and
Notebooks are relatively up to date, neat, and accurate
Information can be somewhat easily accessed.
Study Guides,
Worksheets, and
Notebooks are not up to date, neat, and accurate.
It is difficult to access information.
If a student falls within the ‘P’ range the following steps will be taken to complete the outstanding unit:
36
QSI AP BIOLOGY E06 SEC
Copyright © 1988-2013

1.
The student will be automatically be assigned to the after-school homework tutorial for the duration of the next unit or until mastery of the outstanding unit, whichever comes first. In the after school homework tutorial, the following steps should be taken: a.
First, the student must complete all unfinished work for the outstanding unit. b.
Second, the student will use his/her time to study the necessary material and ask for additional help if necessary. c.
Third, student will retest if necessary. If the student masters the subject matter the second time around with an 86% or better and finished all past work with at least a ‘B’ according to the rubric, he/she will earn a ‘B’.
2.
If the student doesn’t master the outstanding unit according to the rubric during current unit, the unit will be assessed with an H, W, or D. If a W is awarded then no credit for that unit may be obtained in the current calendar school year, but the student still may participate in the AP exam in May.
QSI AP BIOLOGY E06 SEC
Copyright © 1988-2013
37