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Markville Secondary School: Liter8 Program
Liter8 Lesson Plan
Created by:
J. Parrington
Date:
November 2007
Liter8 Skill:
Grade / Subject / Level:
Grade Eleven Biology
University Level
SBI3U
Locating and accessing information
Asking Questions
Making inferences
Drawing conclusions
Making judgments
Writing for a purpose
Improving mechanics
Reorganizing ideas
Asking questions to revise writing
Indicators of Liter8 Skill (cut and paste applicable indicators):
Locating and accessing information
Asking Questions
Making inferences
Drawing conclusions
Making judgments
Writing for a purpose
Improving mechanics
Reorganizing ideas
Asking questions to revise writing
Activity:
Guided research reading and persuasive paragraph writing
Resources / Handouts:
Handout attached
Think Literacy: How to write a Persuasive Paragraph (not attached)
Notes / Reflections:
Some time in class, some time at home
Unit:
Genetic Continuity
Biotech Quest
Your mission is to learn about a selection of biotechnologies that humans have
developed/are developing to improve our lives and environment and then to evaluate
which biotechnology is the most useful to us.
There are three parts.
Part I:
You will read the following introductory passage and historical background to prepare
for reading about the various biotechnologies of study. Use the information to help
you understand Part II.
Part II:
You will read the information on the various biotechnologies and answer the
knowledge questions associated. In this way you will gain evidence to form support
your opinion presented in Part III.
Part III:
You will present an informed opinion in the form of a persuasive paragraph (miniessay) where you have made a decision about which biotechnology is the most useful
and necessary to human life. Use Part II information to support your decision and also
compare your biotechnology of choice to other biotechnologies.
Due dates will be assigned to each part separately.
Good luck – may the biotech force be with you!
Part I: Introduction and Historical Background
I. INTRODUCTION
Biotechnology is the manipulation of biological organisms to make products that benefit human
beings. Biotechnology contributes to such diverse areas a food production, waste disposal, mining,
and medicine
Although biotechnology has existed since ancient times,
some of its most dramatic advances have come in more
recent years. Modern achievements include the
transferal of a specific gene from one organism to
another (by means of a set of genetic engineering
techniques known as transgenics); the maintenance and
growth of genetically uniform plant- and animal-cell
cultures, called clones; and the fusing of different types
of cells to produce beneficial medical products such as
monoclonal antibodies, which are designed to attack a
specific type of foreign substance.
II HISTORY
Francis Crick and James Watson
The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule is the genetic
blueprint for each cell and ultimately the blueprint that
determines every characteristic of a living organism. In
1953 American biochemist James Watson, left, and
British biophysicist Francis Crick, right, described the structure of the DNA molecule as a double
helix, somewhat like a spiral staircase with many individual steps. Their work was aided by X-ray
diffraction pictures of the DNA molecule taken by British biophysicist Maurice Wilkins and British
physical chemist Rosalind Franklin. In 1962 Crick, Watson, and Wilkins received the Nobel Prize for
their pioneering work on the structure of the DNA molecule.
The first achievements in biotechnology were in food production, occurring about 5000 bc. Diverse
strains of plants or animals were hybridized (crossed) to produce greater genetic variety. The
offspring from these crosses were then selectively bred to produce the greatest number of
desirable traits (see Genetics). Repeated cycles of selective breeding produced many present-day
food staples. This method continues to be used in food-production programs.
Corn (maize) was one of the first food crops known to have been cultivated by human beings.
Although used as food as early as 5000 bc in Mexico, no wild forms of the plant have ever been
found, indicating that corn was most likely the result of some fortunate agricultural experiment in
antiquity.
The modern era of biotechnology had its origin in 1953 when American biochemist James Watson
and British biophysicist Francis Crick presented their double-helix model of DNA. This was followed
by Swiss microbiologist Werner Arber's discovery in the 1960s of special enzymes, called restriction
enzymes, in bacteria. These enzymes cut the DNA strands of any organism at precise points. In
1973 American geneticist Stanley Cohen and American biochemist Herbert Boyer removed a
specific gene from one bacterium and inserted it into another using restriction enzymes. This event
marked the beginning of recombinant DNA technology, commonly called genetic engineering. In
1977 genes from other organisms were transferred to bacteria. This achievement eventually led to
the first transfer of a human gene, which coded for a hormone, to Escherichia coli bacteria.
Although the transgenic bacteria (bacteria to which a gene from a different species has been
transferred) could not use the human hormone, they produced it along with their own normal
chemical compounds.
In the 1960s an important project used hybridization followed by selective breeding to increase
food production and quality of wheat and rice crops. American agriculturalist Norman Borlaug, who
spearheaded the program, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 in recognition of the
important contribution that increasing the world's food supply makes to the cause of peace.
III CURRENT TRENDS
Today biotechnology is applied in various fields. In waste management, for example,
biotechnology is used to create new biodegradable materials. One such material is made from the
lactic acid produced during the bacterial fermentation of discarded corn stalks. When individual
lactic acid molecules are joined chemically, they form a material that has the properties of plastics
but is biodegradable. Widespread production of plastic from this material is expected to become
more economically viable in the future.
Biotechnology also has applications in the mining industry. In its natural state, copper is found
combined with other elements in the mineral chalcopyrite. The bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans
can use the molecules of copper found in chalcopyrite to form the compound copper sulfate
(CuSO4), which, in turn, can be treated chemically to obtain pure copper. This microbiological
mining process is used only with low-grade ores and currently accounts for about 10 percent of
copper production in the United States. The percentage will rise, however, as conventionally mined
high-grade deposits are exhausted. Procedures have also been developed for the use of bacteria in
the mining of zinc, lead, and other metals.
The field of medicine employs some of the most dramatic applications in biotechnology. One
advance came in 1986 with the first significant laboratory production of factor VIII, a bloodclotting protein that is not produced, or has greatly reduced activity, in people who have
hemophilia. As a result of this condition, hemophiliacs are at risk of bleeding to death after
suffering minor cuts or bruises. In this biotechnological procedure, the human gene that codes for
the blood-clotting protein is transferred to hamster cells grown in tissue culture, which then
produce factor VIII for use by hemophiliacs. Factor VIII was approved for commercial production
in 1992.
IV CONTROVERSIES
Some people, including scientists, object to any procedure that changes the genetic composition of
an organism. Critics are concerned that some of the genetically altered forms will eliminate
existing species, thereby upsetting the natural balance of organisms. There are also fears that
recombinant DNA experiments with pathogenic microorganisms may result in the formation of
extremely virulent forms which, if accidentally released from the laboratory, will cause worldwide
epidemics. Some critics cite ethical dilemmas associated with the production of transgenic
organisms.
Part II: Selected Biotechnologies
Take the time to read “Canadians in Biology: The Mystery of Frozen Frogs” on page 36 of your
text, and answer the following inquiries.
Who is the Canadian working with frogs, where does he do his research, and how does he freeze
frogs?
What is so interesting about these frogs?
What is the mystery molecule that allows cells to withstand freezing? How do frogs use this
molecule to stay alive (what is the process)?
How does Dr. Storey think this information will help humans?
In a well stated argument, decide whether this research can be considered biotechnology or not.
How is squirrel freezing different from that of frog freezing?
Take the time to read “Biology Magazine: Stem Cells” on page 67 of your text, and answer the
following inquiries.
In one or two sentences, explain what are stem cells?
After reading the entire article, describe what stem cells can be used for.
Read the discoveries Canadians have made. Describe the discovery that excites interests YOU the
most, and explain why.
Are there any negatives or harmful aspects with stem cell research? Think of some for yourself –
they are not necessarily in the article.
Do you think that stem cell research falls under the category of biotechnology. Why or why not?
Take the time to read “Advancing Biotechnological Frontiers” on page 69, 71-72, of your text, and
answer the following inquiries.
Find the definition of apoptosis in your text, and write it’s meaning here:
What is a culture? Write its meaning here:
What research and interesting find was done at the University of Alberta regarding cancer cells?
How are diabetes and insulin connected?
Describe two ways that human insulin and biotechnology are connected.
Describe the structure of a virus.
Describe the work being performed by biologists at the University of Calgary.
What may this research lead to the use of?
How does someone contract hepatitis C?
What are some of the symptoms of hepatitis C?
What advancement in biotechnology is connected to hepatitis C?
Take the time to read “From the Cornfield to the Carburetor – Using the Products of Fermentation”
on page 98 - 99 of your text, and answer the following inquiries.
What does ethanol show promise of becoming?
What economic and environmental concerns have prompted industry to look at ethanol fuels
again.
North America uses some ethanol in gas blends. Describe the components of gasohol (E5). How
does E5 differ from E10 and E85?
Where does ethanol fuel come from? How is it processed? What organism is involved?
List a few ways that ethanol fuel can improve the environment.
Part III: Persuasive Paragraph
Question: Which application seems to have the greatest potential at changing the
future of biology and alteration of life?
a)
Why did you choose that particular biotechnology application?
b)
Do you believe your choice will be developed in the future as a positive contribution to life,
or a negative contribution to life? Why?
c)
Which recent biotechnology advances (second paragraph) are YOU most excited about or
interested in? Why?