Modeling the Regulatory Switches of the Pitx1 Gene in Stickleback Fish

Topic
Resource Type
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.
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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
Key Terms
activator, cis-regulatory region, coding region, enhancer, eukaryotic gene regulation, mutation, promoter, regulatory switch, repressor, RNA polymerase, transcription factor
Terms of Use
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Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)
Version History
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