The Experience of Science Lab: Gene Expression

Gene Expression PheT Lab

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/gene-expression-
essentials/latest/gene-expression-essentials_en.html

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to:

• Describe gene expression.
• Recognize what molecules are involved in gene
expression
• Evaluate how gene expression is involved in genetic
disorders.
In this computer simulation you will explore how gene
expression is regulated at the levels of transcription and
translation.
Part I Expression
1. *Click and open the following link:
2. Enter by clicking the “Expression” tab.

3. Examine the “Gene 1” shown in the picture. What type of

biomolecule make up “Gene 1”? Justify your statement.

4. What are the two regions of “gene 1”? Discuss with your
group and predict the role of these regions in “gene
expression” based on their names.
5. * Drag the “RNA polymerase” from the tool box and place
it on the dotted spot on the gene. Record your observation.

6. *Drag the “negative transcription factor to the regulatory

region of “gene 1” and drag the RNA polymerase again to
the gene. Record you observation.

7. * Drag the “ RNA polymerase” back to the tool box.

8. *Drag the “positive transcription factor” from the tool box

and fit it in its appropriate location in the gene. * After
fixing the “positive transcription factor” in the gene, drag
 the “ RNA polymerase “ again and fit it the dotted spot.

9. * Keep dragging the “RNA polymerase” to its location on

the “gene 1” five more times, while the “positive
transcription factor” still in the regulatory region.

10. Record your observation.

11. * Drag the positive transcription factor and RNA

polymerase back to the tool box

12. * Drag the “ribosome” from the tool box to the mRNA
molecule.

13. Record your observation. What type of molecule is

produced? What is the name of the process?

14. *Click and drag the mRNA destroyer to mRNA. Record

your observations.

Part II Next Gene

1. Click on the Next Gene
2. What difference do you observe in the tool box?
3. Predict the significance of the second “positive
transcription factor”
4. What are the advantageous and disadvantageous of 2
“positive transcription factors”
5. *Click and drag the first “positive transcription factor” to
the gene.
6. * Click and drag the “RNA polymerase” to the gene.
7. Observe and record your results.
8. * Click and drag the second “positive transcription factor”
to the gene.
9. * Again drag the “RNA polymerase to the gene.
10. Observe and drag the results.
11. As you go through this simulation think about one type of
gene that would require 2 “positive transcription factors” to
function effectively and economically.
Part III mRNA
12. Go to the Next Tab that says “mRNA” , play around with
all the tabs that control positive transcription factor
concentration/affinity, and RNA polymerase affinity.

Gene Expression questions:

1. Define Gene Expression
2. Define Transcription.
3. Define Translation.
4. Which enzyme is involved in transcription?
5. Name the three types of RNA’s involved in transcription?
6. What is the significance of regulatory region found in the
gene?
7. Why is it important to destroy the mRNA after making
sufficient amount of protein?
8. How will the positive and negative transcription factor help
maintain the homeostasis of the body system. Explain with
an example.
9. What molecule is all of this based on?

10. What do you think the difference in color of strands

represent? Are they really that color?

11. In your own words, what does “degradation” mean?

12. Give an example a situation where gene expression

without regulation could potentially harm the organism.

13. What is the significance of regulatory region, positive

transcription factor, and RNA polymerase in the process of
transcription?
14. What is the significance of regulatory region, positive
transcription factor, and RNA polymerase in the process of
transcription?
15. Gene _____ is more complex than Gene _____
because_________________________________
16. What is the difference between the “regulatory
region”/origin and the “transcribed region”/code?
17. A student says that “ALL DNA codes for proteins.” Do
you agree with her? Why or why not?

Hypothesis-

Evidence-

Reasoning-
18. What does the term “affinity mean”?
19. What are the circumstances that make the most mRNA?
20. What are the circumstances that make the least mRNA?
21. Why would a cell need to have the option to make or not
make protein?
22. In your own words, write a short paragraph below that
explains the sequence of how DNA codes for protein.