The Galapagos Origami Bird

GETTING READY:

Look at the top of Results Sheet #1, the DNA sequence for the original parent: (A G C T A). Now see the Gametes Mutation Box (GMB), a sequence of DNA with 5 empty boxes.

1. Using the dry-erase pen, copy those 5 letters (A G C T A) from the top row of the DNA strand of the original parent (P) onto the plastic sheet covering the DNA of the GMB. Letters go in the 5 empty boxes of the GMB, in that order. Leave blank the lower row of matching bases.
2. Build your parent bird (P) using the dimensions in the top right of first Results Sheet (see Building Birds). For this generation, your group will do the following:
3. Build 3 offspring. (the F₁ generation) from the P bird. To save time, and just for this F₁ generation, let first new bird (-1-) be genetically identical to its parent (so you can fly that parent bird as if it was its identical baby bird). Each of the other two birds will get one mutation each. However, before we can build those other offspring, we need to find out the random mutation that each baby bird will have:
   • Spin Random Spinner #1 with numbers 1-5 on it. This randomly generated number will tell you which base in the DNA strand in the GMB will mutate. Then spin Random Spinner #2. This will tell you the new base (letter) that the randomly selected base will mutate to.
   • Record with dry erase pen on the plastic overlay the letter for that new base (if it's different than it was before).
   • Look at your Mutation Table to determine what effect (if any) that mutation will have on the phenotype of the offspring.
   • On your Results Sheet (F₁ second new bird (-2-), record the changes (genotype, and phenotype results).
   • Repeat step a-d for the third F₁ bird (-3-). Record results on the Results Sheet.
   • Build the new baby birds (as adults) just like the parent bird EXCEPT for the new phenotype determined by the random mutation. Due to limited time, you should ignore any color change phenotypes, from base #2).
   • You should have 3 new birds, each with its own mutation and phenotype (with the parent bird standing in only for the first F₁ bird) when you are done.

4) Fly the new generation (3 birds). The one that flies the furthest (or the furthest average

of three flights, if time) will survive and reproduce, becoming the new parent bird: the "winner." (The bird with the original parent phenotype can be the one that wins and produces in the next generation, but it might not). See Flying details below.

5) Repeat steps 3-4 until you have completed both Results Sheets through four generations (f₄) of offspring. Instead of using the "Parent (P)" bird each time, use the "winning" bird - the one that flew the longest (average) distance in the previous generation as the new parent bird.

3

FLYING THE BIRDS

a. Take your 3 birds to the assigned place (hallway, empty room, etc.). Be sure to take a

tape measure to measure the distances flown. If possible, use metric tape measure. If not available, measure in inches and translate to cm. Just multiply your inches measurement (estimated to nearest tenth of an inch) by 2.54 Record the results.

b. Standing at the "take-off" line (strip of masking tape), release each bird with a gentle, overhand pitch. Try to release all the birds in the same way.

c. For each flight, have a team member place a small piece of tape where the "head" (paper clip end) landed. Number the tape of each landing with the bird number (and its flight number: 1st, 2nd, 3rd if you are averaging multiple flights).

d. Have two team members using tape measure (or meter stick) to measure distance flown for each bird from the take-off line to its landing spot.

e. If time allows, fly each bird 2 or 3 times, record distances, and find the average distance flown. Your teacher will tell you whether to just do 1 flight each, or find averages.

f. Circle the bird on your Results Sheet that flew the longest distance (or longest average distance). That bird will be the parent of the next generation.

g. Return to your classroom, and using dry-erase pen, put the proper genetic sequence for that new parent on the transparent plastic in the Gametes Mutation Box.

h. Using the 2 Random spinners, figure out the mutations for all 3 birds for the next generation (including the winner "parent" bird). See item 3) a-g, page 3. Fill in that information on your Results Sheet for the appropriate generation.

f. Repeat the Flying instructions (a-h). Continue to breed, test, and record data for as many generations as you can in the time we have, at least 4 generations if possible.