Module 6 Instructor Resources

Lesson Plan

Title

• Alternative splicing

Objectives

• Demonstrate how alternative splicing of a gene can lead to different mRNAs.
• Show how alternative splicing can lead to the production of different polypeptides and result in drastic changes in phenotype.

Pre-requisites

• Module 1
• Module 2
• Module 3
• Module 4
• Module 5

Order

• Introduce students to tra-RB, a second isoform of tra.
• Investigation 1
• Investigation 2
• Discussion

Homework

• None included. Students could analyze a second gene on the browser using the work they have done on tra as a template.

Class Instruction

• Introduce tra-RB
• Discuss differences between tra-RB and tra-RA. Reinforce concept of isoform.
• Investigation 1: How can there be different mRNAs encoded in the same gene?
• Investigation 2: Examine the tra polypeptides by looking at the three possible reading frames. Review concept of reading frame and introduce phase if not previously introduced. Students will construct a gene model for tra-RB, using sequence information, and RNA-Seq data as evidence.
• Discussion of gene models/wrap-up

Associated Videos

• Genes and Isoforms video
• Splicing and Phase video
• RNA Seq and TopHat video