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

Topic

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

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Short Films

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:13:10
Saved By
20 Users
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Description

This film explores how gene duplications and mutations have led to remarkable physiological adaptations in Antarctic fish.

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 “Abbreviated Film Guide” provides a short summary of the film, along with key concepts and connections to curriculum standards.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

Key Terms

Antarctic icefish, antifreeze protein, gene duplication, hemoglobin, 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.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files partially meet criteria. Video files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 10.12.11

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.A, HS-LS4.A, HS-LS4.C

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1, IST-2, IST-4, SYI-3

IB Biology (2016)

3.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 1.3, 2.4, 2.6

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC2

Materials

HD (M4V) 408 MB
HD (WMV) 408 MB
SD (M4V) 104 MB
SD (WMV) 104 MB
Transcript (PDF) 133 KB
Abbreviated Film Guide (PDF) 108 KB

Use This Resource With

Activity Resource
Activity for The Birth and Death of Genes
Activity Resource
How Novel Icefish Genes Can Improve Human Health
Activity Resource
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Viscosity
Activity Resource
Icefish Blood Adaptations: Antifreeze Proteins
Interactive Media Resource
Interactive Assessment for The Birth and Death of Genes

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Other Resources About Icefish

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