Table of Contents:

Title of Course:

Senior Biology (Microbiology, Human Genetics, Biotechnology, and Bioethics)

Course Description

This year long course offers the student an opportunity to experience the basics of microbiology, human genetics, biotechnology, and exploration of bioethical issues. Prerequisite: General Biology with a minimum of C or recommendation from staff member.

Course Objectives

1. The course will provide demonstrations of the structure and function of DNA, RNA, chromosomes, and genes.
2. The course will offer a definition of biotechnology, including examples of real-world applications.
3. The course will provide opportunities to apply laboratory techniques with the appropriate lab equipment and materials.
4. The course offers opportunities to discuss and debate selected bioethical issues.

Student Competencies or Outcomes

• The student should know that...

  • The information passed from parents to offspring is coded in DNA molecules.
  • Genes are segments of DNA molecules. Inserting, deleting, or substituting DNA segments can alter genes. An altered gene may be passed on to every cells that develops from it. The resulting features may help, harm, or have little or no effect on the offspring's success in its environment.

• The student should known that...

  • Risk analysis is used to minimize the likelihood of unwanted side effects of a new technology. The public perception may depend, however, on psychological factors as well as scientific ones.
  • New varieties of farm plants and animals have been engineered by manipulating their genetic instructions to produce new characteristics.

• The student should be able to...

  • Write clear, step-by-step instructions for conducting investigations, operating something, or following a procedure.
  • Participate in group discussions on scientific topics by restating or summarizing accurately what others have said, asking for clarification or elaborations, and expressing alternative positions.

• The student should know that...

  • Biotechnology has contributed to health improvement in many ways, but its cost and application have led to a variety of controversial social and ethical issues.
  • The development and use of technologies to maintain, prolong, sustain, or terminate life raise social, moral, ethical, and legal issues.

Outline of Subject Matter

1. Chromosomal Inheritance
2. Genes and Traits
3. DNA and RNA
4. Immunity
5. Microbes
6. Tools of Genetic Engineering
7. Methods of DNA Technology
8. Pharmaceutical Products
9. Forensics and DNA
10. Agricultural Connections
11. Transgenic Animals
12. Human Genome Project
13. Cancer and AIDS
14. Reproductive Technologies

Learning Activities

1. Chromosomal Inheritance

   • Lab: Back to the Future - Historical Look
   • Lab: Karyotyping

2. Genes and Traits

   • Computer Program: Genetics (Logal)
   • Lab: Human Traits

3. DNA and RNA

   • Lab: DNA Extraction
   • Lab: 3-D Models or DNA - RNA and Protein Synthesis

4. Immunity

   • Activity: Felt Antibody Models
   • Lab: Antibody Reactions

5. Microbes

   • Lab: Collecting From Air
   • Lab: Counting Colonies
   • Dilution and Counting (Milk)
   • Staining (Gram, etc...)
   • Lab: Effects of Washing
   • Lab: Pure Colony Streaks

6. Tools of Genetic Engineering

   • Lab: Can Bacteria Change Plants
   • Lab: Bacterial Transformation
   • Video: Risk Assessment

7. Methods of DNA Technology

   • Lab: Protein Synthesis: Designer Genes
   • Lab: Electrophoresis
   • Lab: Biotechnology Time Capsule

8. Pharmaceutical Products

   • Lab: Insulin Production
   • Pregnancy Tests
   • Lab: Dominant Disorders and Testing
   • Bioethics: Case Studies - Who Gets Treatments?

9. Forensics and DNA

   • Lab: DNA and Fingerprinting
   • Lab: DNA Restriction Analysis
   • Bioethics: DNA Fingerprinting

10. Agricultural Connections

    • Lab: Milk Progesterone Test
    • Lab: Plant Tissue Culturing
    • Bioethics: Flavor Savor Tomato
    • Video: Of The Earth

11. Transgenic Animals

    • Lab: Bigger Fish
    • Bioethics: Transgenic Mammals

12. Human Genome Project

    • Readings: Human Genome Newsletter
    • Bioethics: Genetic Screening

13. Cancer and AIDS

    • Readings: Scientific American, August 1995
    • Bioethics: Research Ethics
    • Bioethics: Science, June 28, 1996

14. Reproductive Technologies

    • Bioethics: InVitro Techniques
    • Bioethics: Fetal Tissue Transplantation
    • Bioethics: Commercial Surrogacy

Listing of Instructional Materials

Textbooks:

• Human Biology
  Sylvia S. Mader
  1995 Wm. C. Brown
  ISBN 0-697-15956-6.
• An Introduction to Biotechnology:
  A Unit for High School Students
  1996 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.
  Debuque, Iowa.

Software:

• The Johnsons Explorations Software

Periodicals:

• Human Genome News
  Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  1060 Commerce Park MS 6480
  Oak Ridge, TN 37830
• Your World: Biotechnology and You
  1-800-796-5806

Videotapes

• Agricultural Biotechnology: A World of Opportunity, The Secret of Life

Course Comments or Alternative Activities

Articles:

• DNA Fingerprinting Dispute Laid To Rest, Nature, 27 Oct. 1994
• Conceived After Dad's Death, Boston Globe
• Freezing Human Embryos - Value Dilemmas, Bioscience, Jan. 1990
• Religious Leaders Oppose Patenting Genes and Animals, Science, 26 May 1995
• DNA! Evidence That's So Good, A Jury Can't Be Trusted With It, Minneapolis Star & Tribune, 16 Jan. 1994
• NIH Gets The Green Light On Embryo Research, Nature, 29 Sept. 1994
• Religious Leaders Prepare To Fight Patent On Genes, New York Times, 13 May 1995
• 'Humanized' Pig Hearts To Solve Supply Problem, St. Paul Pioneer Press, May 24, 1995
• Ethics and Embryos, Newsweek, June 12, 1995
• Helping Your Friends Make Genetic Engineering Choices, Nutrition Today, 4 July/August 1994
• Cloning: Where Do We Draw The Line?, Time, Nov. 8, 1993
• The Genetic Revolution, Time, Jan. 17, 1994

Internet Resources (Good Starting Point)

• Access Excellence
• Resources Plus
• Internet Gold
• Classroom Connect

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