Genetic Transformation (Classroom)

What are genetically modified organisms and how are they made? Why purposes do genetically modified organisms serve? Transformation is an activity created by Learning Undefeated to help students explore the process of moving genes from one organism to another using genetic transformation. Students will learn how plasmids are made, how heat shocking works to bring a plasmid into a cell, and will research the ethics of GMO use.

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Learning Objectives

Students will know

What is transformation
The use of bacteria as a genetic tool
How genes are introduced into other organisms for scientific, agricultural, and medical use

Students will understand

How DNA plasmids are introduced into bacteria
How genes are regulated
How genetic markers are used

Students will be able to

Define wild-type vs. mutant phenotypes
Locate the different genes on a pGlo plasmid
Select for transformed bacteria
Analyze the growth of bacteria
Calculate the transformation efficiency

Standards Alignments + Connections

Next Generation Science Standards Connections

HS-LS3-1 Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Connections

BIOL.2(E) Plan and implement descriptive, comparative, and experimental investigations, including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting equipment and technology;

BIOL.6(A) Identify components of DNA, identify how information for specifying the traits of an organism is carried in the DNA, and examine scientific explanations for the origin of DNA

BIOL.6(D) Recognize that gene expression is a regulated process

Louisiana Standards for Science Connections

HS-LS1-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Unit Plan

Pre-Laboratory Engagement (45-60 minutes)

Students should visit the Bacterial Transformation Lab website provided by the Lab Center at Harlem DNA Lab

Students complete the background reading section and answer questions on the student worksheet
Students watch the Transformation interactive and answer questions on the student worksheet
Optional: Have students explore the rest of the website for more background and history.

Students should complete the Make a Plasmid activity

Students cut out plasmid and insulin DNA sequences and must cut them at restriction sites so the two sections will ligate together.
- - DNA cutout sheet
  - Student instructions

Optional: Have students answer questions on the Student worksheet.

Laboratory Activity (60-75 minutes)

Students should watch lab activity video Transformation Part One (5:42) and complete Part I of the student activity worksheet.
Students should watch Transformation Part Two (13:50) and complete Part II, III, IV, and V of the student worksheet
- Student Activity Worksheet
After completion of the video students view the worksheet walkthrough to help them answer the questions and learn the material.
- Video can be supplied before or after student work is submitted
Optional: Students should perform a lab simulation of transformation using the PBS Gene Cloning activity (Computers will need to be Flash enabled)
- Students should complete both Making a Recombinant Plasmid and Bacteria Transformation tabs
- Students answer questions about the activity on their student worksheet

Post Laboratory Extension

Students write an argumentative essay on the ethics of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) using references and proper MLA citations.
- Video references
  - Are GMOs Good or Bad? Genetic Engineering & Our Food
  - GMO and it’s Negative Effects
- Scholarly Articles
  - Genetically Modified (GM) Foods and Ethical Eating
  - Genetically Modified Foods and Social Concern
    - Vocabulary List

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