DNA Technology Webquest
Use the websites listed on the back to help you answer the questions. You may also use other sites as you need.
ANSWER QUESTIONS ON ANOTHER PIECE OF PAPER!
You are going to find out about DNA technology using the following websites. Then you will prepare information for a class discussion about the technology. You will need to answer the following questions, which will be collected. While you are investigating, start thinking about what you think about transgenic crops and cloning. Do you think scientists should be doing this? Why or Why not? Remember to think like a scientists, and have facts and information to back up your opinions.
Answer these questions:
1) What is recombinant DNA?
2) How is it made: Draw a diagram.
3) What is a transgenic crop?
4) What is the difference between genetic engineering and traditional crop breeding?
5) What are potential risks of transgenic crops?
6) What are the potential benefits of transgenic crops?
7) What is gene therapy?
8) What is gene therapy used for?
9) How is an animal cloned?
10) How is a cloned animal different from one produced by sexual reproduction?
11) What is the human genome project?
12) For 5 diseases, find what chromosome they are found on:
Websites to use:
Recombinant DNA
PBS site on Transgenic crops: also has a good link on gene therapy:
Good Description of recombinant DNA
Use this site to do 2 activities: Catch a Criminal and Maize Mutants. Maize Mutants will help you discuss the difference between genetic engineering and traditional crop breeding.
Site on Transgenic Crops
Cloning
Site on cloned monkeys
Basic Information about cloning: Dolly the sheep
Human Genome Project
Under Introduction click View Animation-it will give you the story of the Human Genome Project.
This site has information about the human genome project. Look at top bar and explore what diseases have been found on different chromosomes (remember there are 23 pairs of chromosomes)
Virtual Gel Electrophoresis
Do you remember what a gel electrophoresis is? It is a test that scientists perform which separates proteins by size. That was how you determined that one of Ms. Lindsey's twins had sickle cell disease, and one had sickle cell trait. After you finish the DNA technology questions, you can go to the following site and do a virtual gel electrophoresis