Embedded Files
Essential Idea
Science and technology have enabled us to use our understanding of DNA in a variety of ways that are useful to human society.
Understandings
Gel electrophoresis is used to separate proteins or fragments of DNA according to size.
PCR can be used to amplify small amounts of DNA.
DNA profiling involves comparison of DNA.
Genetic modification is carried out by gene transfer between species.
Clones are groups of genetically identical organisms, derived from a single original parent cell.
Many plant species and some animal species have natural methods of cloning.
Animals can be cloned at the embryo stage by breaking up the embryo into more than one group of cells.
Methods have been developed for cloning adult animals using differentiated cells.
Applications
Use of DNA profiling in paternity and forensic investigations.
Gene transfer to bacteria using plasmids makes use of restriction endonucleases and DNA ligase (Virtual Lab - Pearson).
Assessment of the potential risks and benefits associated with genetic modification of crops (Virtual Lab - McGraw-Hill).
Production of cloned embryos produced by somatic-cell nuclear transfer.
Skills
Design of an experiment to assess one factor affecting the rooting of stem-cuttings (p.175 of Pearson eText).
Analysis of examples of DNA profiles.
Analysis of data on risks to monarch butterflies of Bt crops.
Key Vocabulary
Restriction enzyme
Gel electrophoresis
DNA profiling
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Genetic modification
Gene transfer/splicing
Plasmid
Cloning
Reproductive
Therapeutic
Somatic cells
Stem cells
Vegetative reproduction
Budding
Textbook Reading and/or Activities
Click HERE for a pdf of chapter 3.
Pages 166-179
Challenge Yourself (p.168)
Challenge Yourself (p.169)
TOK (p.169)
TOK (p.170)
TOK (p.171)
TOK (p.177)
Exercises (p.178)
Practice Questions (p.178-179)
Notes
3.5 Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
A detailed set of notes, prepared by Bob Smullen, examining all of the IB learning expectations.
A detailed set of notes, prepared by Stephen Taylor, examining U1 - U8 and A1 - A4.
A series of questions, prepared by Stephen Taylor, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.
A detailed set of notes, prepared by Chris Paine, examining all of the IB learning expectations.
Bioknowledgy Study Questions (Not available)
A series of questions, prepared by Chris Paine, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.
A detailed set of notes, prepared by Jacob Cedarbaum, examining all of the IB learning expectations.
3.5 Study Questions (NEW Syllabus)
A series of questions, prepared by Jacob Cedarbaum, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice. Answers (OLD).
Learning Activities
Gel Electrophoresis: Tutorial and Quiz
This activity, prepared by Sumanas Inc., will help you better understand the process of gel electrophoresis and offers a quiz to check your understanding.
Virtual Lab - Gel Electrophoresis
Click on the "Gel Electrophoresis" icon and carry out this virtual investigation, prepared by Class Zone, to better understand how scientists prepare gels and use the resulting as DNA profile.
Recombinant DNA Technology: Activity
This activity, prepared by Biology Junction, will help you understand the process by which restriction enzymes are used to remove a target gene from one organism and insert it into a second.
This virtual lab, prepared by McGraw-Hill, will help you better understand how target genes can be transferred from one organism and into another via a bacterial vector.
Click on the "Bacterial Transformation" icon and carry out this virtual investigation, prepared by Class Zone, to better understand how scientists transfer specific genes from one organism to another using plasmids and how this can lead to specimens acquiring new traits.
This interactive simulation, produced by the University of Utah, leads us through the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) as we clone a mouse.
This assignment outline, provided by Pearson, provides details related to the required investigation into the cloning of plants (S1).
Supplemental Reading
How does a paternity test work?
This short reading (<10 mins), prepared by The Tech Museum of Innovation, clearly outlines the process by which gel electrophoresis and DNA profiling can be used to carry out paternity tests.
Monarch Larvae Survival After Bt Exposure
This article (15-30 mins), authored by Jesse and Obrycki, investigates the relationship between monarch butterfly larvae survival and exposure to the Bt toxin produced by genetically modified crops.
This article (10-20 mins), authored by Emily Waltz, examines several competing studies related to the impact of Bt crops on the survival of monarch butterfly larvae.
This video provides an actual look at SCNT as it appears during the process itself.
This video animates the process by which an ovum is denucleated and then renucleated using the diploid nucleus from a somatic cell.
This video examines the practical importance and value of recombinant DNA technology in society.
This video illustrates the process by which genes can be transferred from one molecule of DNA to another using restriction enzymes.
This video outlines the key uses for DNA fingerprinting (persecuting criminals and paternity tests) and outlines the process by which it works.
This video outlines the process of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). It is clear and easy to understand but has some pretty terrible background music.
This video outlines the process of using gel electrophoresis to separate fragments of DNA creating a unique DNA profile for individuals.
Supplemental Videos
This video examines restriction enzymes, gel electrophoresis, PCR, genetic markers and the Human Genome Project. It also describes the process of each.
Video Tutorials
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