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Biochemistry and Cell Signaling Pathway of the Mc1r Gene

Image from the activity

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Macromolecules
  • Genetics
  • Gene Expression & Regulation
  • Mutations

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Lessons

Level

High School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
30 Users
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Description

This activity supports concepts presented in the short film Natural Selection and Adaptation about the evolution of different fur colors among rock pocket mouse populations. The activity challenges students to analyze partial DNA sequences of the Mc1r gene to identify the effects of mutations on the MC1R protein pathway.

Students will use amino acid sequences from the rock pocket mouse genome to illustrate the different levels of protein structure and the relationship between a protein’s structure and function. In addition, students analyze the MC1R signaling pathway in both light- and dark-colored rock pocket mouse populations. Through their analysis, students will come to understand concepts about cell signaling. Finally, students hypothesize how the change in sequence, and thus protein function, might directly affect the coat-color cell signaling pathway of the rock pocket mouse populations.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Use an amino acid class chart to determine whether an amino acid in a protein sequence is nonpolar, polar, acidic, or basic.

  • Analyze amino acid data to hypothesize how changes in the sequence of the MC1R protein domains might affect the function of the protein.

  • Analyze amino acid data to hypothesize how the change in sequence and thus protein function might affect the coat color of rock pocket mouse populations.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

basic, cell signaling, coat color, extracellular, G-protein, hydrophilic, intracellular, membrane, melanocortin 1, missense, mutation, natural selection, nonpolar, nonsense, polar, receptor, signaling pathway

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-LS3-1; SEP2

AP Biology (2017)

IST-1.N, IST-1.O, IST-3.C, IST-3.D, IST-3.E, IST-3.G, IST-4.B, SYI-1.B, SYI-1.C; SP2, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

1.3, 2.4, 3.1, 7.3

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.4, ELA.RST.9–12.6

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC3; DP3

Materials

Resource Google Folder
Student Handout (PDF) 1 MB
Teacher Materials (PDF) 423 KB

Additional Materials

  • amino acid class chart

  • blue, red, green, and yellow colored pencils

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
The Making of the Fittest: Natural Selection and Adaptation

Educator Tips

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Rock Pocket Mouse Resources

Ann Brokaw presents three BioInteractive resources she uses to support the short film "Natural Selection and Adaptation."
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