Standard: California
Biological/Life Sciences Standard 5: The genetic composition of cells can be
altered by incorporation of exogenous DNA into the cells.
c. Students know how genetic engineering (biotechnology) is
used to produce novel biomedical and agricultural products.
d. Students know how basic DNA technology (restriction
digestion by endonucleases, gel electrophoresis, ligation, and transformation)
is used to construct recombinant DNA molecules.
e. Students know how exogenous DNA can be inserted into
bacterial cells to alter their genetic makeup and support expression of new
protein products.
Introduction: Based on the knowledge that the nitrogenous
bases found in DNA form the universal genetic code, organisms genomes can be
manipulated. New genes from a human,
such as the gene that codes for insulin, can be inserted into a prokaryotes
(bacteria) genome. The bacteria can then
express the new gene and produce insulin through transcription and
translation. There are many other
biotechnologies that have different purposes in the science field. You will learn about what these techniques
are, how they are used and how they are a potential benefit to society.
Task: You will visit various websites that introduce
and explain different biotechnologies.
You will fill in a comparison matrix as you visit each site. This is to help you organize your
information. Finally, you will create a
blog post about ONE of the biotechnologies.
In this post, you will persuade the class on why your chosen
biotechnology is the best. Make sure to
include pros and cons for your chosen biotechnology and for the ones that were
not chosen. It cannot be an “It is the
best because I say so.” Make sure to
support your points with the research gathered through the various websites.
Resources:
1. Learn
about DNA probes by using the following websites: DNA probe, DNA probe animation and DNA probe 2
2. Learn
about PCR (polymerase chain reaction) by using the following websites: PCR animation, PCR virtual lab and PCR.
3. Learn
about DNA fingerprinting: DNA fingerprinting interactive game, DNA fingerprinting, and DNA fingerprinting animation.
4. Learn
about Gel Electrophoresis: Gel electrophoresis virtual lab, Gel electrophoresis animation and Gel electrophoresis.
5. Learn
about Microarrays (DNA chip): DNA chip 1, DNA chip 2, Microarray virtual lab, and DNA chip animation.
Process:
- As you visit each website,
make sure to fill in the comparison matrix. As you view the websites, keep in mind
the following questions:
- What it is
- The process of it (how to
use this in laboratory conditions)
- Why is it important?
- When you are done
completing the assignment, make sure to compare and contrast all the
techniques. Some of them rely on
other techniques in order to work.
- Using a Word document,
create a persuasive review about one of the techniques. In this piece, you must write why the
technique you chose is more beneficial to society than the other
ones. Make sure to discuss the pros
and cons of all the techniques.
- When done, copy and paste
your review to the class blog. The
blog post should have your name, period, date and title of your
review.
- Make sure to comment on two of your peers post. In your comment, you must respond about how your technique is still better than the technique they chose. You can also agree with their post but must post two reasons they did not identify in their post.
Assessment:
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CATEGORY
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4
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3
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2
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1
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Introductory
Paragraph (x2)
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The
introduction names the chosen biotechnology and outlines the main points to
be discussed.
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The
introduction names the biotechnology chosen of the post.
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The
introduction outlines some or all of the main points to be discussed but does
not name the technology.
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The
introduction does not name the biotechnology AND does not preview what will
be discussed.
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Support
for Position (x2)
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All of
the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given
that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.
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Most of
the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given
that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.
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At
least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an
explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author's
position.
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Evidence
and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.
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Closing
paragraph (x2)
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The
conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer's
position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing
paragraph.
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The
conclusion is recognizable. The author's position is restated within the
first two sentences of the closing paragraph.
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The
author's position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the
beginning.
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There
is no conclusion - the blog post just ends.
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Grammar
& Spelling (x1)
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Author
makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the
content.
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Author
makes 1-3 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the
content.
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Author
makes 4-7 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the
content.
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Author
makes more than 7 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from
the content.
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Biotechnologies
can be used to solve crimes, to analyze evolutionary
relationships, to study genetic disorders, and to study the function of
genes. Through the use of these
technologies, many advances can be made to improve the quality of human
life. Other technologies such as cloning
and genetically modified organisms are controversial. Check out the following websites to learn
more about them: cloning
and genetically modified organisms.
