Classic Experiments in Molecular Biology

By Robin Pals-Rylaarsdam

Abstract

All introductory biology textbooks, and many sophomore-level genetics textbooks as well, describe several classic experiments in molecular biology. This interrupted case study takes students through two of these classic experiments, namely, those by Griffith and Avery, McCarty and MacLeod that showed DNA to be the genetic material in Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the experiment by Meselson and Stahl that demonstrated DNA replication to be semiconservative. Engaging students with the experiments in a more exploratory manner can reinforce the nature of scientific discovery and the logic behind these findings. The case, which has been formatted as two separate exercises that can be used independently, was developed for use in introductory biology classes for biology majors. The material is accessible enough to also be useful for non-majors college biology or high school AP biology students.

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Date Posted

04/27/2012

Overview

Objectives

Accurately describe the experiments performed by each group, observations made, and conclusions drawn.
Articulate several possible outcomes/hypotheses for a given experiment, select the outcome that best fits the data collected, and explain why the other hypotheses are rejected in light of the data.
Accurately answer questions regarding the evidence for semiconservative replication and the evidence for DNA being the genetic material in E. coli.

Keywords

DNA; Griffith; Avery; Streptococcus pneumonia; genetic material; DNA replication; Meselson; Stahl; semi-conservative; experimental data; experimental design

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Cell Biology

Genetics / Heredity

Molecular Biology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

History of science, Scientific method

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Discussion, Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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Materials & Media

Supplemental Materials

An alternative version of the case is provided below, differing only on p. 5 where figure and text are more historically accurate (but may distract from the overall conclusion).

In addition, we provide a link below to materials available from HHMI BioInteractive that can be used in conjunction with this case.

Videos

The Double Helix
The Double Helix is the story of the scientists and evidence involved in one of the most important scientific quests of the 20th century: the discovery of the structure of DNA. Running time: 16:53 min. Produced by HHMI BioInteractive.
The Chemical Structure of DNA
Short animation showing the detailed structure of DNA. Running time: 2:44 min. Produced by HHMI BioInteractive.
DNA Replication Schematic
A 50-second animation that explains the mechanism of replication. The double helix unwinds and each strand acts as a template for the construction of the new DNA molecule. Running time 0:50 min.Produced by HHMI BioInteractive.
DNA Replication Basic Detail
Short 3-D animation showing how DNA is replicated at the molecular level. It involves an enzyme that unwinds the DNA and other enzymes that copy the two resulting strands. Running time: 1:07 min. Produced by HHMI BioInteractive.second
DNA Replication Advanced Detail
Short animation showing both strands of the DNA double helix acting as templates for the new DNA strands. Incoming DNA is unraveled by the enzyme helicase, resulting in the 3' strand and the 5' strand. The 3' strands and the 5' strands are replicated by a DNA polymerase enzyme but in different ways. Running time: 2:20 min. Produced by HHMI BioInteractive.