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Dinosaurs and Me

A Guided Discovery that DNA = Traits = Adaptability

Developed by: Denise, Tariq, and JimThat’s Tariq’s head in the lower left – he’s a little camera shy.

REAL WORLD ALIGNMENT “Relevancy”

1. Let’s grasp how DNA determines traits

A. Enables construction leading to understanding of contemporary

applications. If we know how to predict traits of offspring (e.g. dominant - recessive) at the cellular and organismal levels, then we can understand • Stem cell therapy • Pros and cons of crossbreeding organisms• How increasing genetic diversity can enhance survivability of species• Paternity and maternity confirmation

B. “Examine” dinosaur DNA – what traits did it provide and allow?

Relevancy (cont.)

2. Now fuse 1A and 1B to understand evolution and extinction of species: fundamental concepts in biology.

“EXAMINE” DINOSAUR DNA

Can a dinosaur be recreated today?

Maybe we can use DNA from dinosaur blood found in fossilized mosquitoes which were trapped and preserved in amber (petrified sap) from the Carboniferous to Recent periods.

What were their known traits? Plant material might also be available in

amber, giving us an idea of food sources during the time of the dinosaurs.

Paleo-environment v. 21st Century

To understand the nature of competition, we must correlate each organism’s traits with its environment and habitat: the paleo-environment.

Environment Pre-historic Today + 100,000 years

Flora

Fauna

Climate

Major Threats

Traits and Adaptability

• During their era of dominance, how did the dinosaurs’ traits help and hinder their ability to compete?

• Which traits would allow dinosaurs to compete in today’s world, and which traits would hinder them?

Dinosaur DNA (cont.)

• Describe the possible results of crossbreeding a Stegasaurus (short-neck) with a Brontosaurus (long-neck). – Which outcomes would be advantageous, and which would be disadvantageous to the offspring?

Thinking about the Future

With the DNA they have today, will giraffes compete successfully for the next 100,000 years?

Use your new knowledge to explain why.

CONTENT KNOWLEDGE TO BE REFINED

• Earth Science, especially paleontology: the study of pre-historic life via fossils to determine interactions of organisms with each other and their environments.

• Biology, especially understanding that structure correlates with function, which determines adaptability and evolution. Also that cells are the basic units of life and genes are the basic units of heredity.

• Chemistry, especially that DNA replication and protein synthesis is

determined by the properties of chemical bonds.

SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED / REFINED

• Mindmeister (or similar) to visualize plan and track progress

• Punnett Squares to predict probability of expression of dominant and recessive genes.

Physical traits• Eye and hair color• Height• Susceptibility to

specific diseases• Parts of

personality

SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED / REFINED (cont.)

• Excel spreadsheets to record data sets

• Research, mostly via interweb– Develop judgmental ability to filter out incredible info, of which there is plenty in the field of genetics, both scientific and non-scientific!

• Present findings in compelling visual and oral formats

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

• DNA test kits

• Every student is a DNA source!

• Scale models of double helices and base pairs

CHALLENGES

• Students will need a good outline to stay within practical limits.– Teacher will guide development of outlines with the class on Day 2, after

students have brainstormed their unlimited approaches among themselves on Day 1. Teacher’s role is to guide development of their strategies to stay within limits of the available resources, including time.

• In support of a student-centered approach, the teacher will need to avoid rushing to assist, yet be especially vigilant throughout the project to recognize when students have hit a research wall rather than a speed bump; whether they’re losing heart rather than just lacking ideas or patience.

• To sustain enthusiasm within each three-member team, the teacher will also need to ensure reasonably equitable contributions from each team member.

Thank you, and we would appreciate your comments.