Lesson 3 – Bioengineering and Gene Regulation

Objectives

COURSE: Life Science, Environmental Science, Integrated Science, STEM, BioChem

UNIT: Photosynthesis, Ecology, Biogeochemical Cycling, Genetics

OBJECTIVES: See the Standards Addressed page for information about the published standards and process we use when aligning lessons with NGSS and other Science, Math, Literacy and 21st Century skills). Here is a document that displays all NGSS for this module. In addition to the aligned objectives listed in buttons on the upper-left of this page and in the table below, for this lesson, here is a breakdown of:

What students learn:

• The definition and function of a gene regulatory network, including how it can be controlled with operons.
• Students access prior knowledge on genotypes to phenotypes and apply that knowledge to the topics of gene regulatory networks and bioengineering.

What students do:

• Students will form connections between genotypes and phenotypes including examples of how the environment can affect gene expression.
• Students will present a skit representing one of two main forms of control–positive and negative, in operons.

Instructions

TIME: 1-2 50 minute periods depending on skit planning (plan operon skits in the 1st period & presented in the next)

PREREQUISITES: Before class, students should be familiar with DNA and how it contains our genotypes, transcription and translation in the central dogma (DNA→RNA→Protein), and general knowledge about carbon cycling.

TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS

This lesson has 2 elements; a detailed guide to gene transcription and translation, and operon modeling skits. First, introduce the lesson by reminding students of the stakes set up in lesson 1 – the need for sustainable fuels, the promise of algae and bioengineering – and explain that they are going to gain more knowledge through reading, discussion, applying, modeling, and presenting their new knowledge. Use these slides (Google | PowerPoint) to share the objectives and agenda for this lesson, then move into the genotypes to phenotypes activity.

This activity will provide students with a more detailed understanding of the process of gene transcription and translation. It is best done on paper so students can highlight and annotate the text, as well as answering the questions. The format of the activity is up to you – it could be a homework assignment with discussion in class, or an individual or group task during class. Provide opportunities for students to share and hear the responses of other students. It is also up to you how much scaffolding and teacher input you provide – you could do a supplementary lecture before or after students read the material, or display the answer key on the board and have students add to their own responses.

Through this activity (Google | MS Word), students will learn the details of bacterial gene regulation by acting out the mechanisms of the lac and trp operons. The idea here is to connect to prior knowledge – many biology courses use the lac operon in particular as the classical gene regulation example. If your students don’t have this exposure, you may want to frontload this lesson with some explicit instruction. Students will work in teams of ~6 for the skits (see below) – you can organize them into these groups before or after the video and pre-activity questions.

Part I: Begin by showing the video found in the slides (Google | PowerPoint), or directly accessing it here: Bozeman Science – Gene Regulation. Tell students they will be using what they learn from the video to plan skits, so they need to pay close attention! Have students take notes by answering the prompts on their handouts (which follow the sequence of the video). Give them time after the video to add to their notes, share with neighbors, and debrief as a class to ensure everyone understood the content.

Part II: Give students time to answer the pre-activity questions. This could be individual or group work, depending on your class. Debrief again and address any misconceptions you hear.

Part III: Skit time! Organize students into groups of 6 and assign each group the Lac or Trp operon skit. If your class does not evenly divide into groups of 6, make some groups smaller and have students perform multiple parts by using different notecards, OR make some groups larger and have some duplicate roles. (Example: multiple students could be lactose to represent excesses of the molecule at appropriate times). Give teams ~15 minutes to plan their skits (adjust as needed). Then allow each team to present their skit to the class. Evaluate each team using the provided rubric. Provide verbal feedback or ask other students to do so if they notice any inaccuracies in the skits, perhaps after all have been performed and they can compare them all.

Part IV: This could be assigned as homework after the skits, or in class if there’s time. Students will reflect on what they have learned and apply it to the specific example of algae, the focus of this unit.

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Assessment

How will I know they know……

• Genotypes to Phenotypes Activity – Teacher Key
• Gene Regulation Theater – Teacher Key (Google Key | MS Word)
• Rubric for Operon Modeling Skits

Resources

• Objective and Agenda Slides (Google | PowerPoint)
• Bozeman Science – Gene Regulation Video
• Genotypes to Phenotypes Activity and Key
• Gene Regulation Theater Activity (Google | MS Word)
• Gene Regulation Theater Key (Google Key | MS Word) and Rubric (Google | MS Word)

Accommodations

ELL students may benefit from a vocabulary list and peer notes that correspond with the module.