Module 7 Molecular Genetics

Watch and Listen

Watch the video describing the translation process instead of reading the textbook pages 638 to 640. There is also a great animated review of transcription and translation at the end of the video. You may need to contact your instructor in order to get a password and username to access the Learn Alberta website.

Module 7: Lesson 3 Assignment

RNA and Protein Synthesis Simulation

Open the “RNA and Protein Synthesis Gizmo.” Read carefully through the “exploration guide” and follow the steps described.

Self-Check

Complete the following Self-Check activity.

Reflect on the Big Picture

Spiderman may not exist in real-life, but spider goats do!  Some goats in Quebec have been genetically altered to produce spider silk in their milk. The spider silk gene was sequenced to find the DNA code and then inserted in the goats DNA in a way that it would only be expressed in the milk. There is no web spinning by these goats but the silk is definitely useable. Why would scientists want to do this?  What advantages and disadvantages do you see? Could this be done in humans? Could Spiderwoman actually exist? Do some research on the Internet with the key words “spider goats.” Get a good variety of differing opinions and thoughts and then write a response to the questions presented earlier in this paragraph. Share your response with your classmates.