Web Lesson: Cloning in Focus
Genetic Science Learning Center
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/
Open the link and view each of the sections under "Cloning in Focus". For each section, answer the question.
What is Cloning?
1. Who is Dolly?
A sheep that was cloned using a somatic cell's nucleus from an adult sheep and using it to replace the nucleus of an egg cell. It made the egg behave like a freshly formed zygote and the result was an exact replica of the adult sheep the somatic cell was taken from.
2. When a zygote divides into to separate cells, it is called:
natural twinning
3. Somatic cells are also called:
diploid cells
4. In order to clone a gene, a gene is inserted into a _________________________
plasmid, which then is inserted into a bacteria population
5. In order to create an embryo from a somatic cell, the donor egg cell must have its ___________________ removed.
nucleus, as with creating Dolly the sheep
Click and Clone
6. List all the materials needed to clone a mouse.
a mouse to clone
a mouse to donate an egg
a mouse to grow the clone
microscope
petri dishes
sharp pipette
blunt pipette
chemical to stimulate cell division
7. Place the following steps in the correct order.
4: Stimulate cell division
6: Deliver baby
2: Remove and discard the nucleus from the egg cell
1: Isolate donor cells from egg donor and germ cell donor
3: Transfer the somatic cell nucleus into the egg cell
5: Implant embryo into a surrogate mother
8. There are two time gaps in the process of cloning. What are they? (ie. what do you have to wait for?)
The first time is for the DNA to "reboot" or "reprogram" itself so that it will behave as though it is the DNA of an egg cell
The second time is for the cells to divide and create a morula, or ball of cells
9. What color with the cloned mouse be?
Brown
What is the name of this mouse?
Mini-Mimi
Why Clone?
10. Why is cloning extinct animals problematic?
To clone them you would need a preserved source of DNA from the extinct animal, and a close match of species to provide a surrogate mother. For instance, elephants and woolly mammoths.
11. What are some reasons a person might want to clone a human?
To help couples that are infertile to have children, and to replace deceased family members.
The Clone Zone
12. What animal was cloned in 1885?
a sea urchin
13. How did Spemann separate the two cells of the embryo of a salamander in 1902?
by forming a noose made of baby hair and splitting an early salamander embryo with it
14. The process of removing a nucleus is called
enucleation
15. In 1952, the nucleus of a tadpole embryo cell was placed into a donor cell. Did it work to clone the animal?
Yes, it worked, but usually much better with the earlier embryos.
16. Can the nucleus of an adult cell be injected into an egg cell and produce a clone?
Yes, it works perfectly fine, but the clone must grow starting as a baby
17. Why are mammals hard to clone?
Their eggs are smaller
18. What were the names of the first two cloned cows?
Fusion and Copy
19. In what year was the National Bioethics Advisory Council formed?
1995
20. The first mammal clone to be produced from an adult (somatic) cell?
Dolly the sheep
21. What do scientists do to adult cells to make them "behave" like embryos?
They must "reboot" the cells to make them behave as embryos. Wilmut and Campbell did this with an electric shock technique, but others later injected the nucleus directly into the cell.
22. Transgenic, cloned sheep were used to produce what medical protein?
Factor IX, a blood-clotting protein used to treat hemophilia
23. What is a stem cell?
cells that can become any cell needed in the human body
Cloning Myths
24. Briefly describe in your own words, why CC the cat was not identical in color to Rainbow, even though she was a clone.
Early in Rainbow's life, her genetic patterns were determined by each gene turning off information randomly from one X-chromosome. CC's weren't changed like Rainbow's were, so she looks different.
25. What is "nature vs nurture"?
Nature is the genetic patterns and orders within our body. Nurture is the way they are changed by the processes we go through along life. Many people think one is dominant over the other.
Is it Cloning or Not?
26. For each of the following scenarios, indicate YES (it is cloning) or NO (it is not cloning)
NO, Sperm taken from a mole goat is combined with a female's egg in a petri dish. The resulting embryo is implanted into the female's uterus to develop
YES, A sheep embryo, composed of 16 cells, is removed from the mother's uterus and separated into indivudal cells. Each cell is allowed to multiply, creating 16 separate embryos, which are then implanted in different female sheep to develop to maturity.
NO, A cow with many desirable traits is stimulated with hormones to produce a number of egg cells. Each of these eggs is fertilized and implanted into a surrogate mother.
NO, In vitro fertilization
YES, Cell nuclei from an extinct wolly mammoth are placed into enucleated cow cells.
27. Define or describe each of the following processes (you may need to reset the Cloning or Not Screen)
Invitro fertilization
The process of fertilizing an egg in a vitro solution, then placing it in a surrogate mother.
Embryo splitting
A process in which you split the cells of a small embryo apart from one another and letting them grow individually into identical organisms.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
A process in which the nuclei of egg cells are discarded and adult somatic nuclei fill their place. The now "fertilized" eggs multiply into embryos and are placed in a surrogate mother.
Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer
An organism with desired traits is stimulated with hormones to produce many eggs. Then the eggs are placed in surrrogate mothers with undesired traits to develop.
Artificial Insemination
Germ cells from an organism with desired traits are used to fertilize or be fertilized by different organisms' germ cells.
What Are the Risks of Cloning?
28. What is one reason why cloning animals has such a high failure rate?
The egg that was enucleated might not be compatible with the nucleus implanted in it.
29. What is a telomere and how does it affect cloned animals?
A telomere is the DNA sequence on each end of the chromosomes. In clones, they seem to be either longer or shorter than normal, changing the life span of the clones.
What Are Some Issues in Cloning?
30. Pick one of the questions to ponder and ....ponder it. Write a brief essay on your thoughts and opinions.
■What are some of the social challenges a cloned child might face?
A cloned child could be looked upon with many different opinions. Some may feel in awe of the child because they are so different and unique, while others may look upon them as not even being a real person. A cloned child could face being ridiculed every day, expectations they cannot live up to, and hatred from peers. On the other hand, they could also become well-known, liked, and followed by many of their peers because of their unique creation.
Personally, if I was a cloned child, I feel as though I would hate it. I would be different, and probably an outcast because I wasn't quite normal.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Friday, December 17, 2010
Harvest of Fear
1. What is a GM Crop?
A crop that has been genetically modified to have better results, such as larger crops, more surviving crops, or more crops of high quality. There are also other modifications that can be made to GM crops.
2. List 2 arguments FOR the growing of GM crops
Good for economy
easier to grow and take care of
3. List 2 arguments AGAINST the growing of GM crops.
Allergies might become more prevalent
Bacteria in the body may pick up antibiotic-resisting genes form the GM crops
*Read some of the reader’s responses.
Engineer a Crop
4. Practice this simulation until you get the largest ears of corn. How many times did it take you?
Only one try!
What’s for Dinner?
*Click on the foods on the table to see what research is being done to bioenginner the foods.
5. List two foods and desribe how they are being modified.
Fries: Potatoes are being modified to absorb less oil when cooked
Coffee: Coffee is being modified to have different caffeine levels.
Viewpoints
*Read the article titled “Are GM Food Sufficiently Regulated in the US?”
Do you think food should be labeled if it has been genetically modified? Why or Why not?
Yes, because many people who are against genetically modified foods would like to know the ways the products they are using have been grown, much like the reason people want to know if food has been locally grown.
Finished? Go to www.yahooligans.com and type "genetic engineering" in the search field. Browse some of the sites that pop up.
(Yahooligans is better than yahoo, the sites tend to be picked for education rather than for scientists and universities, you'll find more understandable and interesting sites on yahooligans than you will with Yahoo)
Write down any of the sites you visited below.
http://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/gen_eng.htm
http://www.eco-pros.com/genetic_engineering.htm
A crop that has been genetically modified to have better results, such as larger crops, more surviving crops, or more crops of high quality. There are also other modifications that can be made to GM crops.
2. List 2 arguments FOR the growing of GM crops
Good for economy
easier to grow and take care of
3. List 2 arguments AGAINST the growing of GM crops.
Allergies might become more prevalent
Bacteria in the body may pick up antibiotic-resisting genes form the GM crops
*Read some of the reader’s responses.
Engineer a Crop
4. Practice this simulation until you get the largest ears of corn. How many times did it take you?
Only one try!
What’s for Dinner?
*Click on the foods on the table to see what research is being done to bioenginner the foods.
5. List two foods and desribe how they are being modified.
Fries: Potatoes are being modified to absorb less oil when cooked
Coffee: Coffee is being modified to have different caffeine levels.
Viewpoints
*Read the article titled “Are GM Food Sufficiently Regulated in the US?”
Do you think food should be labeled if it has been genetically modified? Why or Why not?
Yes, because many people who are against genetically modified foods would like to know the ways the products they are using have been grown, much like the reason people want to know if food has been locally grown.
Finished? Go to www.yahooligans.com and type "genetic engineering" in the search field. Browse some of the sites that pop up.
(Yahooligans is better than yahoo, the sites tend to be picked for education rather than for scientists and universities, you'll find more understandable and interesting sites on yahooligans than you will with Yahoo)
Write down any of the sites you visited below.
http://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/gen_eng.htm
http://www.eco-pros.com/genetic_engineering.htm
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Mitosis Tutorial Virtual Lab
1. Which stage does the following occur?
Chromatin condenses into chromosomes: Prophase
Chromosomes align in center of cell: Metaphase
Longest part of the cell cycle: Anaphase
Nuclear envelope breaks down: Prophase
Cell is cleaved into two new daughter cells: Cytokinesis
Daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles: Telophase
Watch the video carefully.
2. The colored chromosomes represent chromatids. There are two of each color because one is an exact duplicate of the other.
--How many chromosomes are visible at the beginning of mitosis? None, because they are clumped as chromatin. However, when the chromosomes first become visible, the video shows 4.
-- How many are in each daughter cell at the end of mitosis? Again, you see none because they are clumped as chromatin, but the 4 chromosomes from the beginning would compose the chromatin.
--The little green T shaped things on the cell are: centrioles
-- What happens to the centrioles during mitosis? They grow spindle fibers to separate the chromosomes, and return to normal when their task is completed.
3 . Identify the stages of these cells:
Cell 1: Metaphase
Cell 2: Cytokinesis
Cell 3: Prophase
Another Mitosis Animation:
Go to www.johnkyrk.com/mitosis.html
View the animation and sketch the cell in:
Prophase
The centrioles grow spindle fibers and move to opposite ends of the cell. The chromatin condenses into chromosomes. The spindle fibers begin to reach out to the chromosomes. The nucleus dissolves.
Metaphase
The centrioles reach out another spindle fiber and attach one to each kinetochore (the area where the chromosomes are connected). They begin to pull apart.
Telophase
The nuclear envelope begins to form again. The chromatids disperse into chromatin. The spindle fibers dissolve and the centrioles shrink.
Onion Root Tip - Online Activity:
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html
Read the introduction, then click the “next” button.
You will have 36 cells to classify. When you’re finished, record your data in the chart below.
Interphase:
Number of Cells-20
Percent of Cells-55.5555556
Prophase:
Number of Cells-10
Percent of Cells-27.7777778
Metaphase:
Number of Cells-3
Percent of Cells-8.33333333
Anaphase:
Number of Cells-2
Percent of Cells-5.55555556
Telophase-
Number of Cells-1
Percent of Cells-2.77777778
Total Number of Cells: 36
Total Percent of Cells: (calculate: number of cells divided by total cells x 100): 100 %
Mitosis in Whitefish & Onion Roots
http://www.biologycorner.com/flash/mitosis.html
For each organism, identify the stage of mitosis.
UNABLE TO ACCESS, "Error 404: the page you requested was not found"
View 1:
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 2
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 3
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 4
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 5
Whitefish-
Onion-
Chromatin condenses into chromosomes: Prophase
Chromosomes align in center of cell: Metaphase
Longest part of the cell cycle: Anaphase
Nuclear envelope breaks down: Prophase
Cell is cleaved into two new daughter cells: Cytokinesis
Daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles: Telophase
Watch the video carefully.
2. The colored chromosomes represent chromatids. There are two of each color because one is an exact duplicate of the other.
--How many chromosomes are visible at the beginning of mitosis? None, because they are clumped as chromatin. However, when the chromosomes first become visible, the video shows 4.
-- How many are in each daughter cell at the end of mitosis? Again, you see none because they are clumped as chromatin, but the 4 chromosomes from the beginning would compose the chromatin.
--The little green T shaped things on the cell are: centrioles
-- What happens to the centrioles during mitosis? They grow spindle fibers to separate the chromosomes, and return to normal when their task is completed.
3 . Identify the stages of these cells:
Cell 1: Metaphase
Cell 2: Cytokinesis
Cell 3: Prophase
Another Mitosis Animation:
Go to www.johnkyrk.com/mitosis.html
View the animation and sketch the cell in:
Prophase
The centrioles grow spindle fibers and move to opposite ends of the cell. The chromatin condenses into chromosomes. The spindle fibers begin to reach out to the chromosomes. The nucleus dissolves.
Metaphase
The centrioles reach out another spindle fiber and attach one to each kinetochore (the area where the chromosomes are connected). They begin to pull apart.
Telophase
The nuclear envelope begins to form again. The chromatids disperse into chromatin. The spindle fibers dissolve and the centrioles shrink.
Onion Root Tip - Online Activity:
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html
Read the introduction, then click the “next” button.
You will have 36 cells to classify. When you’re finished, record your data in the chart below.
Interphase:
Number of Cells-20
Percent of Cells-55.5555556
Prophase:
Number of Cells-10
Percent of Cells-27.7777778
Metaphase:
Number of Cells-3
Percent of Cells-8.33333333
Anaphase:
Number of Cells-2
Percent of Cells-5.55555556
Telophase-
Number of Cells-1
Percent of Cells-2.77777778
Total Number of Cells: 36
Total Percent of Cells: (calculate: number of cells divided by total cells x 100): 100 %
Mitosis in Whitefish & Onion Roots
http://www.biologycorner.com/flash/mitosis.html
For each organism, identify the stage of mitosis.
UNABLE TO ACCESS, "Error 404: the page you requested was not found"
View 1:
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 2
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 3
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 4
Whitefish-
Onion-
View 5
Whitefish-
Onion-
Epigenome
The Epigenome Learns From Its Experiences
Epigenetic tags are a collection of signals received throughout the lifetime, that change how the genome is read to switch genes on or off
A growing fetus is receiving these signals, which are recorded on the Epigenome. This can change the epigenome even before birth.
Changes in our environment can send signals that can impact our epigenetic makeup.
Signals can come from in the cell, from neighboring cells, or from the outside world.
Signals can be transferred directly and indirectly.
In development, signals are normally from within a cell or neighboring cells, or even passed through the mother.
Throughout life, signals come from social interactions, physical activity, and diet can all play a role, and many other factors play in, too.
Hormones play a big part in signals during this time in life.
Even in later life, signals are still being recorded, such as the repair of skin or blood cells, or organs in the body.
Epigenetics and Inheritance
Epigenetic tags can be inherited from parents, through a process known as epigenetic inheritance.
This means that a parent's experiences can affect later generations.
For an organism to grow and for the cells to develop into all the different cell types in the body, it's epigenome must be erased through "reprogramming."
At certain times throughout development, specialized "cell machinery" runs through the epigenomic tags and erases them so the embryo can develop correctly. However, some tags make it through and affect the organism.
To prove that epigenetics exist, a few things must be affirmed.
Mutations are difficult to find in larger genomes, but to prove epigenetic inheritance, there can be no first-time mutations in an organism under study.
It must be proved that the epigenetic changes can pass down through generations.
Another factor that makes epigenetic inheritance difficult to prove is the fact that a change induced by environmental factors can be reversed if the factors are changed again.
Epigenetic inheritance means that an organism continually change its gene expression to better fit its environment, while never changing its DNA.
Epigenetic tags are a collection of signals received throughout the lifetime, that change how the genome is read to switch genes on or off
A growing fetus is receiving these signals, which are recorded on the Epigenome. This can change the epigenome even before birth.
Changes in our environment can send signals that can impact our epigenetic makeup.
Signals can come from in the cell, from neighboring cells, or from the outside world.
Signals can be transferred directly and indirectly.
In development, signals are normally from within a cell or neighboring cells, or even passed through the mother.
Throughout life, signals come from social interactions, physical activity, and diet can all play a role, and many other factors play in, too.
Hormones play a big part in signals during this time in life.
Even in later life, signals are still being recorded, such as the repair of skin or blood cells, or organs in the body.
Epigenetics and Inheritance
Epigenetic tags can be inherited from parents, through a process known as epigenetic inheritance.
This means that a parent's experiences can affect later generations.
For an organism to grow and for the cells to develop into all the different cell types in the body, it's epigenome must be erased through "reprogramming."
At certain times throughout development, specialized "cell machinery" runs through the epigenomic tags and erases them so the embryo can develop correctly. However, some tags make it through and affect the organism.
To prove that epigenetics exist, a few things must be affirmed.
Mutations are difficult to find in larger genomes, but to prove epigenetic inheritance, there can be no first-time mutations in an organism under study.
It must be proved that the epigenetic changes can pass down through generations.
Another factor that makes epigenetic inheritance difficult to prove is the fact that a change induced by environmental factors can be reversed if the factors are changed again.
Epigenetic inheritance means that an organism continually change its gene expression to better fit its environment, while never changing its DNA.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
DNA Fingerprint Lab
Create a DNA Fingerprint ( http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sheppard/analyze.html )
Introduction:
1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what?
Identical twins have the same DNA
2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?
To search for criminals and clear a suspect's name in a crime.
Part 1: “It Takes a Lickin”
3. What “crime” was committed?
A "holographic lollipop" was destroyed from its pristine condition
4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?
Saliva from off the lollipop
Part 2: “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”
5. What does a restriction enzyme do?
They cut the DNA molecules in certain spots depending on the genetic coding
6. What is agarose gel?
A thick, porous, jello-like substance that "strains" the DNA, allowing smaller pieces to pass and larger ones to slow or not pass at all.
7. What is electrophoresis?
A process in which an electric current moves molecules around. Opposite poles attract negative DNA.
8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands?
More easily
9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?
The DNA is transferred to the nylon so it is more available and easier to work with.
10. Probes attach themselves to __________
The DNA fragments on the membrane, but only where the coding matches up.
11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive?
The probes were radioactive.
12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.
There are twelve "bars" of the fingerprint, and from top to bottom, the sizes of the bars and the gaps change. The first three are similar, then they thicken. The whole thing looks like a barcode.
13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?
Honey licked the lollipop because the prints match.
DNA workshop
14. What kinds of things could you do at the DNA workshop?
DNA replication and protein synthesis
Find an Article about DNA
Go to http://www.thegenesite.com/
15. Read an article about genetics at this site that you might find interesting, or use the "Search" box in the upper right hand corner to search for DNA fingerprinting.
Title of Article: How DNA Profilong Works
Author and Date: Shanna Freeman, January 2008
Summarize what the article was about. Write this in a paragraph format.
DNA profiling is also known as DNA typing or genetic typing. DNA profiling needs to be used in almost every situation with DNA, so that the DNA can be identified. It uses unique sequences to identify individual DNA. The bars are created by the separation of the different lengths of DNA strands. Because each sequence is unique, the profiles used to be called DNA fingerprints. To create one of these profiles, we must put the DNA through the process of electrophoresis. This involves inserting the DNA into an agarose gel, running electricity through it, and then dying the gel to view the now separated DNA sequences.
These sequences can be used in law enforcement to identify criminals, or even victims. This also helps in accidents where the victim is unable to identify themselves, such as victims in comas or with amnesia. Yet another way this can help is to prove a suspect innocent. DNA profiling also can reveal information about genealogy!
Introduction:
1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what?
Identical twins have the same DNA
2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?
To search for criminals and clear a suspect's name in a crime.
Part 1: “It Takes a Lickin”
3. What “crime” was committed?
A "holographic lollipop" was destroyed from its pristine condition
4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?
Saliva from off the lollipop
Part 2: “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”
5. What does a restriction enzyme do?
They cut the DNA molecules in certain spots depending on the genetic coding
6. What is agarose gel?
A thick, porous, jello-like substance that "strains" the DNA, allowing smaller pieces to pass and larger ones to slow or not pass at all.
7. What is electrophoresis?
A process in which an electric current moves molecules around. Opposite poles attract negative DNA.
8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands?
More easily
9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?
The DNA is transferred to the nylon so it is more available and easier to work with.
10. Probes attach themselves to __________
The DNA fragments on the membrane, but only where the coding matches up.
11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive?
The probes were radioactive.
12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.
There are twelve "bars" of the fingerprint, and from top to bottom, the sizes of the bars and the gaps change. The first three are similar, then they thicken. The whole thing looks like a barcode.
13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?
Honey licked the lollipop because the prints match.
DNA workshop
14. What kinds of things could you do at the DNA workshop?
DNA replication and protein synthesis
Find an Article about DNA
Go to http://www.thegenesite.com/
15. Read an article about genetics at this site that you might find interesting, or use the "Search" box in the upper right hand corner to search for DNA fingerprinting.
Title of Article: How DNA Profilong Works
Author and Date: Shanna Freeman, January 2008
Summarize what the article was about. Write this in a paragraph format.
DNA profiling is also known as DNA typing or genetic typing. DNA profiling needs to be used in almost every situation with DNA, so that the DNA can be identified. It uses unique sequences to identify individual DNA. The bars are created by the separation of the different lengths of DNA strands. Because each sequence is unique, the profiles used to be called DNA fingerprints. To create one of these profiles, we must put the DNA through the process of electrophoresis. This involves inserting the DNA into an agarose gel, running electricity through it, and then dying the gel to view the now separated DNA sequences.
These sequences can be used in law enforcement to identify criminals, or even victims. This also helps in accidents where the victim is unable to identify themselves, such as victims in comas or with amnesia. Yet another way this can help is to prove a suspect innocent. DNA profiling also can reveal information about genealogy!
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