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Skill 1: What does GMO stand for? Explain what it means.
Skill 1: What does GMO stand for? Explain what it means.
Word decoding
Word decoding
What is a GMO?
What is a GMO?
GMO is an acronym, standing for 'genetically modified organism.' Use word decoding to figure out what it means to genetically modify an organism.
GMO is an acronym, standing for 'genetically modified organism.' Use word decoding to figure out what it means to genetically modify an organism.
What have you heard about GMO's?
What have you heard about GMO's?
It's likely you've heard some controversy about whether GMO foods are good for us. Some people systematically avoid them, assuming they are unsafe because people messed with the genes of the organism. You certainly may choose to avoid them to be 'better safe than sorry,' but just because some person changed the genes of a plant, doesn't automatically make it bad for you. The jury is still out until more studies have been completed.
It's likely you've heard some controversy about whether GMO foods are good for us. Some people systematically avoid them, assuming they are unsafe because people messed with the genes of the organism. You certainly may choose to avoid them to be 'better safe than sorry,' but just because some person changed the genes of a plant, doesn't automatically make it bad for you. The jury is still out until more studies have been completed.
In agriculture, scientists genetically modify organisms to yield more food, to fend off insects, or be more drought resistant.
In agriculture, scientists genetically modify organisms to yield more food, to fend off insects, or be more drought resistant.
Genetically modified chickens
Genetically modified chickens
An organism, plant or animal, is genetically modified if a scientist adds, removes, or substitutes part of the genetic code for the organism. Once this is done, the organism will pass the new genetic code down to its offspring. Genes from different organisms can even be combined.
An organism, plant or animal, is genetically modified if a scientist adds, removes, or substitutes part of the genetic code for the organism. Once this is done, the organism will pass the new genetic code down to its offspring. Genes from different organisms can even be combined.
Genetically modified chickens are much larger at a certain age now, than their non-genetically modified counterparts. The advantage is more meat, but at what cost? If a chicken cannot stand up because its little legs are too small to hold its enormous muscle mass, is that okay? This is the basis for 'bioethics,' the determination of what is acceptable by a society in regards to living things.
Genetically modified chickens are much larger at a certain age now, than their non-genetically modified counterparts. The advantage is more meat, but at what cost? If a chicken cannot stand up because its little legs are too small to hold its enormous muscle mass, is that okay? This is the basis for 'bioethics,' the determination of what is acceptable by a society in regards to living things.
Before you think that genetically modifying organisms is all bad, consider this. If you know people with diabetes who are insulin dependent, or takes shots to control their blood sugar, they need genetic engineering to live. Bacteria have been genetically modified to produce human insulin for those who need it.
Before you think that genetically modifying organisms is all bad, consider this. If you know people with diabetes who are insulin dependent, or takes shots to control their blood sugar, they need genetic engineering to live. Bacteria have been genetically modified to produce human insulin for those who need it.
Vocabulary Detective
Vocabulary Detective
Write down initial definitions for the words below in your packet, using only the clues on the webpage.
Write down initial definitions for the words below in your packet, using only the clues on the webpage.
Use word decoding to figure out what a "genetically modified organism" is. Remember, you can't use any of those words in the definition.
Use word decoding to figure out what a "genetically modified organism" is. Remember, you can't use any of those words in the definition.
The shape of DNA is a ______ - ______.
The shape of DNA is a ______ - ______.
There are four building blocks, or monomers, of DNA.
There are four building blocks, or monomers, of DNA.
The yellow thing is "helicase." Remember that "biological catalysts" usually end in 'ase.' What is helicase doing to the DNA strand?
The yellow thing is "helicase." Remember that "biological catalysts" usually end in 'ase.' What is helicase doing to the DNA strand?
The gray blob is "DNA polymerase." It is adding nucleotides (A-T C-G) to the strand of DNA, so that it is double-stranded. We could say that DNA polymerase 'synthesizes' DNA.
The gray blob is "DNA polymerase." It is adding nucleotides (A-T C-G) to the strand of DNA, so that it is double-stranded. We could say that DNA polymerase 'synthesizes' DNA.
The building blocks of DNA are called "nucleotides." There are four and their names start with 'A' 'T' 'C' or 'G.'
The building blocks of DNA are called "nucleotides." There are four and their names start with 'A' 'T' 'C' or 'G.'
This is a "semi"-circle. What does "semi" mean?
This is a "semi"-circle. What does "semi" mean?
This photocopier is "replicating" the paper on the left.
This photocopier is "replicating" the paper on the left.
I have "conserved" my money, therefore I have more in August than I had in June.
I have "conserved" my money, therefore I have more in August than I had in June.
There are three "codons" in this diagram. You can see the first two, but only part of the third one. How can you tell that you are only seeing part of the third one? What is a codon?
There are three "codons" in this diagram. You can see the first two, but only part of the third one. How can you tell that you are only seeing part of the third one? What is a codon?
DNA contains the original instructions in our cells. What does mRNA (messenger RNA) contain?
DNA contains the original instructions in our cells. What does mRNA (messenger RNA) contain?
The orange sphere is an amino acid. The yellow, green, and orange cylinders made up an "anti-codon." This whole thing is a tRNA (transfer RNA).
The orange sphere is an amino acid. The yellow, green, and orange cylinders made up an "anti-codon." This whole thing is a tRNA (transfer RNA).
A ribosome is an organelle, or cell part. It is made up of rRNA (ribosomal RNA) and proteins. It is actually responsible for protein synthesis. What is protein synthesis? Note - this organelle is found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The rest of the organelles are only found in eukaryotic cells.
A ribosome is an organelle, or cell part. It is made up of rRNA (ribosomal RNA) and proteins. It is actually responsible for protein synthesis. What is protein synthesis? Note - this organelle is found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The rest of the organelles are only found in eukaryotic cells.
Vocabulary Quiz - study your definitions. Take this vocabulary quiz as many times as you need to in order to get 12/12 correct. I will automatically receive your results.
Vocabulary Quiz - study your definitions. Take this vocabulary quiz as many times as you need to in order to get 12/12 correct. I will automatically receive your results.
Extra copy of unit packet for this learning target below.
Extra copy of unit packet for this learning target below.
BIO.2 The student will investigate and understand that chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life. Key ideas include
water chemistry has an influence on life processes;
macromolecules have roles in maintaining life processes;
enzymes have a role in biochemical processes;
protein synthesis is the process of forming proteins which influences inheritance and evolution; and
the processes of photosynthesis and respiration include the capture, storage, transformation, and flow of energy.
The structure of DNA serves as a code for the production of proteins through the process of protein synthesis.
Proteins carry out the essential functions of life processes through systems of specialized cells (BIO.2 d).
Protein synthesis is a biochemical process that uses information coded in DNA to construct proteins (BIO.2 d).
In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will
explain the process of protein synthesis, including transcription and translation (BIO.2 d)
use a DNA or RNA codon chart to determine protein strands based on a segment of nucleic acid (BIO.2 d)
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