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Modeling the Regulatory Switches of the Pitx1 Gene in Stickleback Fish

Image from the activity

Topic

  • Genetics
  • Gene Expression & Regulation
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
26 Users
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Description

This hands-on activity supports concepts covered in the film Evolving Switches, Evolving Bodies about the evolution of stickleback fish. Students interpret molecular diagrams and build physical models of eukaryotic gene regulation.

Students review eukaryotic gene transcription using the example of a gene called Pitx1, which is involved in the development of pelvic spines in stickleback fish. They explore how changes in Pitx1 gene expression can affect body development, and learn how those changes, with the appropriate selective pressure, play a role in the evolution of a population. They will then create models showing how Pitx1 gene transcription is regulated in two morphologically different populations of stickleback fish.

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

  • ​​​​​​Interpret visual representations of eukaryotic gene transcription.
  • Explain how mutations in regulatory regions of genes differ from mutations in coding regions.
  • Construct models to represent the regulation of gene transcription.

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

activator, cis-regulatory region, coding region, enhancer, eukaryotic gene regulation, mutation, promoter, regulatory switch, repressor, RNA polymerase, transcription factor

Terms of Use

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

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 04.22.11
Date Updated 04.09.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1, HS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-2; SEP2

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1.K, IST-1.N, IST-2.D, IST-2.A, IST-2.B, IST-2.C, IST-2.E; SP2, SP3

IB Biology (2016)

2.7, 7.1, 7.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.3, ELA.RST.9–12.7

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC3; DP3

Materials

Resource Google Folder (Link)
Educator Materials (PDF) 1 MB
Student Handout (PDF) 1 MB

Additional Materials

  • 4 white pipe cleaners (30-46 cm) or pieces of white twine (46 cm)
  • magic markers (blue, green, red, yellow, purple)
  • Scotch tape
  • poster board or 4 sheets of letter-size paper
  • any items that can represent proteins (see "Teaching Tips" for ideas)
  • ruler
  • scissors (optional)

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
The Making of the Fittest: Evolving Switches, Evolving Bodies

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Activity for Evolving Switches, Evolving Bodies
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Pelvic Evolution in Sticklebacks
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Schooling Behavior of Stickleback Fish from Different Habitats
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Stickleback Fish Environment
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Fossil Record of Stickleback Evolution
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Using Genetic Crosses to Analyze a Stickleback Trait
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Regulatory Switches in Stickleback Fish
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Interactive Assessment for Evolving Switches, Evolving Bodies
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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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Teaching Gene Regulation Using Corn and Stickleback Fish
Teaching Gene Regulation Using Corn and Stickleback Fish
7 Resources
By: BioInteractive
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