Name _____________________________
Group name ___________________________
Date ____________
Eukaryotic Gene Regulation and Biotechnology
Today we will go to the computer lab to study a variety of topics covered in chapters
19 and 20 of your book. Begin at http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
Activity 1: Epigenetics (Home  Epigenetics  What is Epigenetics?)
Assessment Questions
1. Describe the physical state of the genome (tightly wrapped, or relaxed) when
genes are inactive.
2. Describe the physical state of the genome when genes are active.
3. Describe the following characteristics when a gene is active:
o Is the gene tightly or loosely wound around histones?
o
Are there many or few methyl molecules attached to the gene?
o
Are there many or few acetyl molecules attached to the genes
associated histones?
o
Are there many or few mRNA transcripts?
4. Describe the following characteristics when a gene is inactive:
a. Is the gene tightly or loosely wound around histones?
b. Are there many or few methyl molecules attached to the gene?
c. Are there many or few acetyl molecules attached to the genes
associated histones?
d. Are there many or few mRNA transcripts?
5. True or False. Cell signals play a role in shaping gene expression only during
development.
6. What molecule is primarily responsible for carrying cell signals to DNA?
7. What are the two functions of gene regulatory proteins?
8. Are epigenetic tags passed to daughter cells?
Activity 2: Epigenetics (Home  Epigenetics  Epigenetics and the Environment)
Analysis Questions
1. Often, the physical characteristics of genetically identical twins become
increasingly different as they age, even at the molecular level. Explain why
this is so. (use the terms "environment" and "epigenome")
2. Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome.
3. What is an imprinted gene?
4. Explain how a high-nurturing mother rat shapes her pup's epigenome, and
what that pup's response to stress will be.
5. In rats, does licking by the mother activate, or deactivate her pup's GR gene?
6. Explain how cortisol and the GR protein work together in the brain to relax a
rat pup. You may draw a diagram.
7. The rat nurturing example shows us how parental behavior can shape the
behavior of their offspring on a biochemical level. Relate this to humans and
think about the personal and social implications. Record your thoughts.
8. Explain how the food we eat affects gene expression.
9. Can the diets of parents affect their offspring's epigenome?
Activity 3: Gel Electrophoresus (Home  Virtual Labs  Gel Electrophoresus)
Analysis Questions
What is the purpose of this procedure?
Describe the equipment needed to carry out this lab
Describe the lab procedure in detail.
What kind of data will you be recording? What information can this data reveal?
Activity 4: PCR (Home  Virtual Labs  PCR)
Analysis Questions
What is the purpose of this procedure?
Describe the equipment needed to carry out this lab
Describe the lab procedure in detail.
When/why do researchers use this technique?
Activity 5: DNA Microarray (Home  Virtual Labs  DNA Microarray)
Analysis Questions
What is the purpose of this procedure?
Describe the equipment needed to carry out this lab
Describe the lab procedure in detail.
What kind of data will you be recording? What information can this data reveal?
Activity 6: Restriction Digest of Plasmid, Bacterial Transformation
This lab can be found at
http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_NROCscience/APBiologyIChapter9Virtua
lLabPrinciplesofBiotechnology
Analysis Questions
What is the purpose of this procedure?
Describe the equipment needed to carry out this lab
Describe the lab procedure in detail.
What kind of data will you be recording? What information can this data reveal?