Investigation 1
Investigation 2
Investigation 3
Vocabulary
100
Which fox wags its tail for humans and has a short nose?
Siberian Fox
100
Why did scientists want to mutate the CAB gene?
They want to reduce the chlorophyll antenna size
100
Based on the evidence in the table, which of the following crops include genetically engineered varieties to reduce bruising?
Potatoes
100
Artificial Selection
200
You see a fox on a television program. The fox runs from humans and bites if touched. It has a long nose and long tail. What other trait would you expect of this fox?
possible answers:
solid fur
floppy ears for just a few weeks
tucks tail when humans are present
200
Based on the information above, what is the maximum change in the rate of photosynthesis that the researchers can cause by changing the RBCL gene? What about the CAB gene?
RBCL gene-30%
CAB gene-up to 300%
200
Based on the evidence in the table, which of the following crops include genetically engineered varieties to resist pests? List all that apply.
Corn
Soybean
cotton
Potatoes
200
the processes and techniques used to modify the genes of living things in order to change their traits
Genetic Engineering
300
based on what we have learned in class, what process was used to breed the Siberian fox? How do you know?
artificial selection because humans chose which foxes were bred to get the desired friendly traits.
300
If a genetic engineer wants to make algae with the highest change of photosynthesis, what would be the best option? Explain.
If both the CAB and RBCL genes are modified there will be the greatest increase in photosynthesis rates as they both produce a positive change.
300
Which crops grown in the united states are at least 90% genetically modified?
Canola ( 90%)
Soybeans (93 %)
Cotton (94%)
300
Climate Change
400
What traits of the Siberian Fox would make it domesticated? List at least 2 traits.
Possible answers:
approaches humans
wags its tail when humans are present
likes being pet
400
A genetic engineer wants to make algae that have high rates of photosynthesis for both low and medium light levels. Which gene should be modified? Explain.
Modifying the RBCL gene would be best because if the RBCL gene is modified, the photosynthesis rate is higher at low, medium and high amounts of light.
400
Considering only the plants listed in the table, which two traits were most often introduced through genetic engineering? Which traits show up the least? Answer both questions to recieve full points.
Most: Resistance to pests (4)
Resistance to herbicides (4)
Least:
Will not brown after slicing (apples only)
Reduced bruising (potatoes only)
Drought tolerant (corn only)
Changes to nutritional content (soybeans only)
400
the average amount of a certain resource consumed by a single person in a certain area on Earth
per capita consumption
500
What do you think would happen if foxes were bred naturally instead of humans intervening to pick which ones breed? Explain your thinking.
They most likely would not become domesticated because they are wild animals and are timid or scared around humans. Some of the other physical traits like shorter tails or noses or variation in their fur color may appear in the population though through natural selection.
500
Answer both parts to get full points!
At low amount of light, which has a higher rate of photosynthesis, the algae with the modified CAB gene or the unmodified?
At medium amount of light, which has a higher rate of photosynthesis, the algae with the modified RBCL gene, or the unmodified algae?
At low light the unmodified algae has a higher rate of photosynthesis because its line is higher than the modified line at this point.
At medium light the algae with the modified RBCL gene has a higher rate of photosynthesis because its line is higher.
500
Pick 2 crop not listed in the chart and give an idea for each on how you could genetically modify it to improve its qualities.
Answers vary:
Avocado that doesn't brown
Seedless Strawberry or Seedless Cucumber
Pomegranate with a softer shell
Coconut that can grow in colder climates
500
Compare and contrast artificial selection and genetic engineering. For full points you need to discuss at least ONE similarity and TWO differences.
Similarity: Both genetic engineering and artificial selection allow humans to change a species so that its members are better suited for human needs.
Differences: Genetic Engineering can make changes to organisms more quickly.
Artificial selection selects for traits already present in a species, whereas genetic engineering creates new traits.