Download Transgenic_Organisms_Chocolate_Cherries

A T G C T C G G C T A G C T A A T T G A G G T A AT T G G C T A C C G C T
A T G C T C G G C T A G C T A A T T G A G G T A AT T G G C T A C C G C T
Transgenic Organisms: Chocolate Cherries
In this activity you will create a chocolate flavored
cherry by combining a gene coding for chocolate with
DNA from a cherry tree.
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What is the term used to describe the result of combing pieces of DNA from two
different organisms? __________________________________
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What is the term used to describe the organism that contains recombinant DNA?
__________________________________
In organisms, DNA is a set of directions that determines the physical appearance and
functions of an organism. So if you want to make the organism better, what do you
do? You turn to biotechnology! By combining DNA that contains the desired trait with
the organism’s DNA, scientists allow that organism to express that desired trait.
Your Task: You must alter the DNA of a cherry tree so that it bears fruit that has a chocolate flavor. You
have already isolated a gene in the cocoa bean which codes for the yummy chocolate flavor. Now all you
have to do is remove this gene from the cocoa bean and insert it into the cherry seedling so that the new
cherry will have the chocolate trait. Simple right??
Materials:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Chocolate gene (from the cocoa bean)
Bacterial plasmid (a vector to carry the chocolate gene)
Restriction enzyme (scissors)
DNA ligase enzyme to combine the genes (tape)
Cherry seedlings
Procedure:
Part I:
1.
Fill in the missing base pairs on your linear chocolate DNA gene.
2. Read the top strand of the chocolate DNA from left to right (5’  3’) and highlight the sequence AATT
all in a row in that order.
3. Use your restriction enzyme (scissors) to make the following cut along the weak hydrogen bonds down
the middle of the DNaA ladder until the two strands are separated: CUT WHERE THE JAGGED LINE IS!
A
A
T
T
T
T
A
A
4. Remove the strip of DNA that has the 2 exposed (“sticky”) ends.
contains the chocolate flavor!
It should look like this:
This is the gene that
Part II:
1.
Now pick up the circular bacterial plasmid.
Cut out the middle portion so that it looks
like a donut.
2. Start reading until you come across the sequence
AATT in a row.
Again, cut
where the
restriction enzyme would
A
A
T
T
T
T
A
A
3. Now your ring should open up with two exposed ends.
Part III:
1. Examine the bases on the ends of your chocolate gene. Manipulate them until the bases match
together. The 2 pieces
flip one over backwards).
of DNA should fit together like a puzzle. (You may have to
2. Use your ligase enzyme (tape) to combine
the chocolate gene with the bacterial
plasmid.
3. What should you the scientist do with the recombinant DNA plasmid now
in order to grow chocolate flavored cherries???
Part III: Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper.
THINKING LIKE A BIOTECHNICIAN
Answer the following questions in complete sentences below:
1. What did the scissors represent?
2. What would happen if you used an enzyme that cut the plasmid in two places?
3. What do the words transgenic and recombinant mean?
4. How do the two words above apply to this activity? Use the two words above in a sentence to describe
this lab.
5. How do you think this process is important in our everyday life?
6. How else could this process be used?