Winging It: Analyzing a Scientific Paper

Description
In this activity, students analyze aspects of a scientific paper that investigates genes involved in the colors and patterns of butterfly wings.
This paper shows how evolutionary biologist Robert Reed and his colleagues used the biotechnology tool CRISPR-Cas9 to inactivate a number of butterfly genes and determine their functions. Students’ analyses of the paper are scaffolded by having students review the abstract and introduction, make a concept map of important terms in the paper, and interpret a subset of the results.
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
- Analyze the abstract and introduction of a scientific paper to identify the authors’ argument structure.
- Describe how CRISPR-Cas9 was used explore the genetic basis of coloration and spot formation in butterfly wings.
- Interpret the results of CRISPR-Cas9 experiments by annotating figures from the results section of a scientific paper.
- Interpret the experimental design used in a CRSIPR-Cas9 experiment.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
abstract, butterfly, concept map, CRISPR-Cas9, gene inactivation, gene knockout, optix, phenotype
Primary Literature
Zhang, Linlin, Anyi Mazo-Vargas, and Robert D. Reed. “Single master regulatory gene coordinates the evolution and development of butterfly color and iridescence.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114, 40 (2017): 10707–10712. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1709058114.
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-2; SEP1
AP Biology (2019)
IST-1.L, IST-1.N, IST-1.P, IST-2.E, IST-3.F, IST-4.A; SP3
IB Biology (2016)
2.6, 2.7, 3.5, 7.2
Common Core (2010)
ELA.RST.9–12.2, ELA.RST.9–12.10
Vision and Change (2009)
CC2, CC3