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Tracking Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Image of a mosquito

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Science Practices
  • Data Analysis

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Lessons

Level

High School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
16 Members

Description

This activity challenges students to provide their questions and ideas for experiments they could conduct to investigate the impact of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild. It accompanies the video Genetically Modified Mosquitoes.

The video describes how scientists at the company Oxitec produced a line of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes that, when released into the wild, would reduce local mosquito populations.

After watching the videos, students read about the approaches that scientists at Oxitec have used to conduct such experiments. They then use math, descriptive statistics, and line and bar graphs to analyze data from areas in which the GM mosquitoes were released, compared to control areas. As an option, students may also use spreadsheets to analyze and graph the data.

Student Learning Targets

  • Describe an experimental design for measuring the impact that releasing GM mosquitoes has on wild mosquitoes; compare this design to one used by scientists.
  • Use data to calculate several population statistics.
  • Create and analyze graphs to identify patterns.
  • Use evidence to form and support claims and conclusions.

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

Aedes aegypti, average density, genetically modified organism (GMO), mating fraction, ovitrap

Primary Literature

Carvalho, Danilo O., Andrew R. McKemey, Luiza Garziera, Renaud Lacroix, Christl A. Donnelly, Luke Alphey, Aldo Malavasi, and Margareth L. Capurro. “Suppression of a Field Population of Aedes aegypti in Brazil by Sustained Release of Transgenic Male Mosquitoes.” Public Library of Science Neglected Tropical Diseases 9, 7 (2015): e0003864. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003864.   

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files partially meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 08.18.17
Date Updated 08.22.19

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-2; SEP1, SEP3, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1.P, SYI-1.G, SYI-1.H, ENE-4.B; SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

3.5, C.5

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 8.15
Learning Objectives & Practices: EIN-3.D, SP1, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.5

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.7, ELA.WHST.9–12.1
Math.A-REI.3, Math.S-ID.3, Math.S-IC.1, Math.S-IC.3, Math.S-IC.4; MP1, MP2, MP3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP1, DP2, DP6

Materials

Download Educator Materials (PDF) 556 KB
Download Student Handout (PDF) 354 KB
Download Student Reading (PDF) 530 KB
Download Data Tables (PDF) 223 KB
Download Data Spreadsheet (XLSX) 20 KB

Additional Materials

  • calculator and/or spreadsheet software

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

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