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Activity for The Birth and Death of Genes

Photo of arctic waters

Topic

  • Genetics
  • Mutations
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Film Activities

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
13 Users
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Description

This activity explores the research presented in the short film The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes, which illustrates how gene duplications and mutations have allowed some fish to adapt to extreme environments.

The discovery of the Antarctic icefish has provided a stunning example of adaptation in an environment that is both hostile and abundant. Scientists Bill Detrich, Christina Cheng, and Art DeVries have pinpointed the genetic changes that enable icefish to thrive without hemoglobin and red blood cells and to avoid freezing in the icy ocean. The “Student Handout” probes students’ understanding of the key concepts addressed in the film. The “Educator Materials” document provides suggested pause points in the film with questions for students, background information, and detailed discussion points; a list of related resources and references; and an answer key for the “Student Handout.”

Student Learning Targets

  • Explain how gene duplications and mutations can provide the genetic diversity necessary for evolution.

  • Use data to make claims about how mutations and selective pressure work together to drive evolution.

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

Antarctic icefish, antifreeze protein, gene duplication, marine biology, mutation

Primary Literature

Chen, Liangbiao, Arthur L. DeVries, and Chi-Hing C. Cheng. “Evolution of Antifreeze Glycoprotein Gene from a Trypsinogen Gene in Antarctic Notothenioid Fish.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 94, 8 (1997): 3811–3816. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.94.8.3811.

Deng, Cheng, C.-H. Christina Cheng, Hua Ye, Ximiao He, and Liangbiao Chen. “Evolution of an Antifreeze Protein by Neofunctionalization under Escape from Adaptive Conflict.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107, 50 (2010): 21593–21598. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1007883107.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History

Date Published 03.07.11

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1, HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-4; SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.D, EVO-1.J, EVO-1.O, IST-4.A, IST-4.B, SYI-3.A; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

3.1, 5.2, 6.2

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 1.3, 2.6
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-1.C, ERT-2.H, SP2, SP4, SP5

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.2, ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC2, CC5; DP1

Materials

Student Quiz (PDF) 245 KB
In-Depth Film Guide for Teachers (PDF) 364 KB

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Icefish

Showing of
Photo of icefish in the wild
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Antifreeze Proteins
Photo of a researcher comparing icefish blood to bass blood
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Viscosity
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Lessons
How Novel Icefish Genes Can Improve Human Health
Screen shot of the icefish quiz screen
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Short Films
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Screen shot of the icefish quiz screen
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Short Films
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
Photo of icefish in the wild
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Antifreeze Proteins
Photo of a researcher comparing icefish blood to bass blood
Labs & Demos
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Viscosity
Photo of an icefish in sub-freezing water
Lessons
How Novel Icefish Genes Can Improve Human Health
Computer image from the video
Clips
Kidney Function
Computer model of the heart
Animations
Heart Function
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Recent Adaptations in Humans
Chart taken from the data points paper.
Data Points
Diving Adaptations in Sea Nomads
Screenshot of the interactive's main screen
Click & Learn
Vertebrate Circulatorium
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