Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

Winging It: Analyzing a Scientific Paper

Photo of a butterfly wing

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Experimental Design
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Data Analysis

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Lessons

Level

College
Saved By
40 Users
Share This

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

One to two 50-minute class periods.

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)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 02.26.20
Date Updated 04.09.20

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

Materials

Resource Google Folder (Link)
Educator Materials (PDF) 428 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 471 KB
Scientists Can Now Repaint Butterfly Wings (PDF) 364 KB

Related Science News

Science Says: Gene editing widely used in range of research
Chinese researcher claims first gene-edited babies
Doctors try CRISPR gene editing for cancer, a 1st in the US
A gene-editing first: scientists tried CRISPR to fight HIV
Doctors try 1st CRISPR editing in the body for blindness

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About CRISPR

Showing of
Photo of the paper model in action
Labs & Demos
Building a Paper Model of CRISPR-Cas9
Photo of a painted lady butterfly
Lessons
Using CRISPR to Identify the Functions of Butterfly Genes
Illustration of RNA translation
Click & Learn
Central Dogma and Genetic Medicine
Image of the CRISPR Cas9 molecules from the interactive
Click & Learn
CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism & Applications

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image of a mosquito
Lessons
Tracking Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
Photo of a researcher holding a mouse
Clips
Learning from Mice: The Science of Transgenic Technology
Image of Rob Pringle holding a tracking antenna
Scientists at Work
Niche Partitioning and Species Coexistence
Illustration of chromosomes with bands representing genes
Interactive Videos
Interactive Case Study for The Search for a Mutated Gene
Photo of a painted lady butterfly
Lessons
Using CRISPR to Identify the Functions of Butterfly Genes
Image of a mosquito biting a human
Scientists at Work
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
Image of the How Science Works diagram
Tools
How Science Works
Image from the activity
Lessons
Pulse Chase Primer: The Meselson-Stahl Experiment
Image from the video of researcher placing a tracking device on a bee
Scientists at Work
Tagging Bumble Bees to Study Their Movements
Image from the film of researcher attaching homing device to a lizard.
Scientists at Work
How Lizards Find Their Way Home
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility