LacI-number:
Overview
In this lesson, students use the genetic switch model to make modifications in the genetic circuit of the cell to make it fitter to compete and survive. You will use the models that students build to compete against each other and see which one survives.
You could have highly enriching discussions about genetics, evolution and genetic engineering.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
- Life Science
- [HS-LS4] Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- NGSS Practice
- Analyzing Data
- Communicating Information
- Constructing Explanations, Designing Solutions
- Asking Questions, Defining Problems
- Using Models
- Arguing from Evidence
- Conducting Investigations
Computational Thinking in STEM
- Data Practices
- Analyzing Data
- Collecting Data
- Creating Data
- Manipulating Data
- Visualizing Data
- Modeling and Simulation Practices
- Using Computational Models to Find and Test Solutions
- Using Computational Models to Understand a Concept
- Systems Thinking Practices
- Investigating a Complex System as a Whole
- Thinking in Levels
- Understanding the Relationships within a System
Activities
- 1. Understanding parameters
- 2. Understanding how the parameters affect the behavior
- 3. Design your genetic circuit
- 4. Design your genetic circuit
- 5. Modify your genetic circuit
Student Directions and Resources
In this lesson, you will use the genetic switch model to make modifications in the genetic circuit of the cell to make it fitter to compete and survive.
The models that you build will be used compete against each other in a population model to see which one survives and performs better in a competition.
1. Understanding parameters
Let's use the Genetic Switch model to understand how different parameters affect behavior of a cell.
Follow the instructions below to get started:
Open NetLogo folder and click on NetLogo Logging.
Open the Genetic Switch NetLogo Model that you downloaded earlier.
Or click here to download the model.
Let's refresh our memory!
Let’s focus on these three parameters.
Explain how each parameter affects the model. What changes do you see in the model when you change the values of these parameters? Describe the changes in terms of the number of protein molecules, or DNA-protein interaction.
Question 1.1
Question 1.2
RNAP-number
Question 1.3
LacI-bond-leakage
2. Understanding how the parameters affect the behavior
Change one or more of the three parameters shown above in the model.
Make a prediction about how it will influence the behavior of the genetic switch. Design a test to see if your cell does better or worse in terms of responding to the change in the external environment and fast cell division rate.
Question 2.1
Write down your changes and predictions before you run the model.
Question 2.2
Run the model and explain your observations.
3. Design your genetic circuit
What would be a beneficial behavior to get a cell to reproduce faster in a changing external environment in terms of the availability of sugar?
[In Evolutionary Biology lingo, this is called ‘Phenotype that has higher fitness’.]
Question 3.1
Write your answer here.
4. Design your genetic circuit
Each of the teams are going to design ‘genetic circuits’ now. Work with your group. Design a ‘genetic circuit’ in your cell, so that the cell will have higher fitness. List the changes you made and explain why you made those changes.
Question 4.1
Describe your changes and explain why you made those.
Question 4.2
Upload your modified genetic switch model here.
Upload files that are less than 5MB in size.
| File | Delete |
|---|---|
Upload files to the space allocated by your teacher.
5. Modify your genetic circuit
You will get one more chance to enter the competition.
Question 5.1
Did your cell win? Explain why.
Question 5.2
Make modifications in your genetic circuit and explain why you made those.
Question 5.3
Upload your modified genetic switch 2.0 design here.
Upload files that are less than 5MB in size.
| File | Delete |
|---|---|
Upload files to the space allocated by your teacher.
