Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression

We present a PCR-based laboratory exercise that can be used with first- or second-year biology students to help overcome common misconceptions about gene expression. Biology students typically do not have a clear understanding of the difference between genes (DNA) and gene expression (mRNA/protein)...

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Autores principales:	Leslie K. Wright, Dina L. Newman
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	American Society for Microbiology 2013
Materias:	Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Biology (General) QH301-705.5
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/aa26b475c23344789f097b07fd4fc31a
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:aa26b475c23344789f097b07fd4fc31a2021-11-15T15:03:52ZUsing PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression10.1128/jmbe.v14i1.5391935-78851935-7877https://doaj.org/article/aa26b475c23344789f097b07fd4fc31a2013-01-01T00:00:00Zhttps://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.v14i1.539https://doaj.org/toc/1935-7877https://doaj.org/toc/1935-7885We present a PCR-based laboratory exercise that can be used with first- or second-year biology students to help overcome common misconceptions about gene expression. Biology students typically do not have a clear understanding of the difference between genes (DNA) and gene expression (mRNA/protein) and often believe that genes exist in an organism or cell only when they are expressed. This laboratory exercise allows students to carry out a PCR-based experiment designed to challenge their misunderstanding of the difference between genes and gene expression. Students first transform E. coli with an inducible GFP gene containing plasmid and observe induced and un-induced colonies. The following exercise creates cognitive dissonance when actual PCR results contradict their initial (incorrect) predictions of the presence of the GFP gene in transformed cells. Field testing of this laboratory exercise resulted in learning gains on both knowledge and application questions on concepts related to genes and gene expression.Leslie K. WrightDina L. NewmanAmerican Society for MicrobiologyarticleSpecial aspects of educationLC8-6691Biology (General)QH301-705.5ENJournal of Microbiology & Biology Education, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 93-100 (2013)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Biology (General) QH301-705.5
spellingShingle	Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Biology (General) QH301-705.5 Leslie K. Wright Dina L. Newman Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression
description	We present a PCR-based laboratory exercise that can be used with first- or second-year biology students to help overcome common misconceptions about gene expression. Biology students typically do not have a clear understanding of the difference between genes (DNA) and gene expression (mRNA/protein) and often believe that genes exist in an organism or cell only when they are expressed. This laboratory exercise allows students to carry out a PCR-based experiment designed to challenge their misunderstanding of the difference between genes and gene expression. Students first transform E. coli with an inducible GFP gene containing plasmid and observe induced and un-induced colonies. The following exercise creates cognitive dissonance when actual PCR results contradict their initial (incorrect) predictions of the presence of the GFP gene in transformed cells. Field testing of this laboratory exercise resulted in learning gains on both knowledge and application questions on concepts related to genes and gene expression.
format	article
author	Leslie K. Wright Dina L. Newman
author_facet	Leslie K. Wright Dina L. Newman
author_sort	Leslie K. Wright
title	Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression
title_short	Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression
title_full	Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression
title_fullStr	Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression
title_full_unstemmed	Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression
title_sort	using pcr to target misconceptions about gene expression
publisher	American Society for Microbiology
publishDate	2013
url	https://doaj.org/article/aa26b475c23344789f097b07fd4fc31a
work_keys_str_mv	AT lesliekwright usingpcrtotargetmisconceptionsaboutgeneexpression AT dinalnewman usingpcrtotargetmisconceptionsaboutgeneexpression
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Using PCR to Target Misconceptions about Gene Expression

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