St. John Fisher College : Noveera Ahmed Ed Freeman Worcester Polytechnic Institute : Joe Duffy Ally Hunter Luis Vidali Facilitators : Jennifer Nauen, University of Delaware Jessamina Blum, Yale University Why are my cells different?
Dec 13, 2015
St. John Fisher College: Noveera Ahmed
Ed Freeman
Worcester Polytechnic Institute:Joe Duffy
Ally HunterLuis Vidali
Facilitators:Jennifer Nauen, University of Delaware Jessamina Blum, Yale University
Why are my cells different?
Freshman Level Course: Introductory BiologyCoverage to this point includes:
scientific method, cell theory, structure/function/replication of DNA, transcription and translation
Classroom Setting
Our UNIT – Eukaryotic Gene Expression
(The Next Theme: Gene Regulation)
Learning Goals Learning Outcomes
1. Students will have conceptual understanding of the central dogma.
2. Students will have conceptual understanding of What a gene is?
3. Students will understand the role of the central dogma in cellular differentiation
3. Students will be able to: a. create a concept map to review the flow of genetic information in a cell. b. identify and explain the various levels at which gene expression may occur. c. interpret and construct graphical representations of data. d. apply this understanding to a novel situation e. appreciate the biological significance of diversity.
4. Students will appreciate our limits in understanding gene expression (past and future).
Lesson objectives:
• be able to create a concept map to review the flow of genetic information in a cell.
• be able to identify and explain the various levels at which gene expression may occur.
• be able to interpret and construct graphical representations of data.
• be able to apply this understanding to a new situation
• be able to appreciate diversity within and between organisms.
Eukaryotic Gene Expression
DNARNAProteinTranscriptionTranslation
Let's review Central Dogma – build a concept map.
DNA
2. Use markers to draw the location of the nucleus and cytoplasm with respect to your labeled sticky notes
1. In your small groups, write the following terms on the provided post-it notes
DNA
Protein
RNA
Transcription
CentralDogma
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
TranslationTranslation
?
What happens if
Transcription is off?
DNA
Protein
RNA
Transcription
CentralDogma
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
TranslationTranslation
?
What happens if
Translation is off?
Cardiac Muscle
cell
EpidermalSkin cell
Myosinprotein levels
• What do the data in the graph below demonstrate? Consult with your
neighbor and write a one sentence description.
Myosin is a family of proteins that play a role in a variety of cell processes including muscle contraction.
Let's consider this in the context of differences in cell types
DNA
Protein
RNA
Transcription
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Clicker question:
Myosin levels are different.How can this be explained?
A.Regulation of Transcription.
B. Regulation of Translation.
TranslationTranslation
Using your Clickers answer the following question:
Where is the greater similarity in DNA? A. between different cell types in the same individual.
B. between same cell types in different individuals.
What about differences between cells?
Keratin is a key structural protein making up the outer layer of skin.
Keratinprotein levels
Cardiac cell
EpidermalSkin cell
Neuron
Duff’s cells
White bloodcell
On the graphs you were given:
Plot your understanding of gene expression plot with a neighbor the expected protein levels of Keratin.
Let's revisit diversity...
Keratin levels
Cardiac cell
Skin cell –keratinocyt
e
Neuron
Duff’s cells
White bloodcell
We predict:Different levels of Keratin are expressed in different cell types!
Keratin Protein levelsin epidermal
cell
Noveera Ed Ally Luis Duff
Given your understanding of gene expression plot with a neighbor the expected protein levels of Keratin.
Keratin levels
Skin cell - keratinocyte
Noveera ED Ally Luis Duff
Different people have similar levels of Keratin expression in Skin cells (keratinocytes)!