BSC1005-Disc8
MO-MO
Topic-Discussion8-SwitchingGenesonandOff.pdf
This is a graded discussion: 30 points possible
due -
Discussion 8 - Switching Genes on
and Off 31 31
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 1 of 27
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Directions: After watching the Switching Genes On and Off
(http://video.pbs.org/video/1503825140/) video and using what you have
learned in this and previous modules in regards to gene expression, post
your thoughts on the video and DNA research. For full credit in this
discussion, please contribute to the discussion in a meaningful way using
scientific language.
Submission: After you have posted your initial post, read and respond to
two or more of your classmates' posts. Be sure to make substantive and
constructive comments (just posting “nice post” doesn’t count). For
example, add something from your own experience, something you’ve read
or seen. If the situation calls for it, feel free to state an opinion, but be sure
to state any points with which you agree and/or those with which you
disagree, as well as your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.
Grading: This discussion is worth 30 points and will be graded using
the Discussion Rubric. Pease use it as a guide toward successful completion
of this assignment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHKsWOqdy5s
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHKsWOqdy5s)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHKsWOqdy5s)
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8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 2 of 27
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Bonni Haber (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/107427)
Jul 14, 2023
The video for this assignment was honestly really fascinating. Among the
fruit fly species there were
some that had spots on their wings and some that did not have spots on
their wings. The flies without
spots on their wings also didn't dance as much. Scientists found the gene
that codes for the spots on the
wings and called it the, "paintbrush" gene. Both species of flies had the
gene. The scientist in the video
was interested in why both species had the gene but only one species
had spots. So he decided to look
at the 98% of the double helix that didn't code for protein. He found a
slight difference in DNA just outside
of the paintbrush gene. So he decided to take a sample of that DNA and
mix it with a gene that codes for
protein in a jellyfish. Its the gene that makes the jellyfish glow. He then
injected it into the non spotted fly.
Once he did this the non spotted fly had spots that glowed in the dark.
He found that in the 98% part of
the double helix contained switches. These switches where able to turn
certain genes on or off. So in this
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 3 of 27
certain genes on or off. So in this
case the fruit flies switch was found to be a mutation that allows them to
turn on or off the gene that
produces spots.
The way the scientist was able to use jellyfish DNA to make a fly have
spots that would glow in the dark
was the wildest part of this video for me. The research they can do with
DNA is really advanced stuff and
interesting but the manipulation of genes is the stuff movies are made
from. I obviously don't think glow
in the dark wings would benefit a fly in any way but the fact that someone
can essentually engineer a
living creatures genetic makeup to do things so wild is fascination and a
little bit scary.
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Jomer Ibarreta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/26650)
Jul 17, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 4 of 27
Great discussion, Boni. I would like to add that gene editing or being
able to turn genes on and off is a powerful tool. Scientists can use
this technology to study how certain genes affect animals. It has a
wide range of uses in medical research. For example, it can be used
to study how certain diseases affect the body or to make animal
models for trying drugs and treatments. This technology can also be
used to give organisms new features, like the ability to fight off
diseases, or even to make whole new organisms. By turning genes on
and off, scientists can control the genetic makeup of animals in a way
that has never been done before. This is very exciting for the future of
biotechnology.
Reference:
"Gene Switching." Genetics Home Reference, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 8 Mar. 2021,
ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/genomicresearch/geneswitch.
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Ashley Burris (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/142506)
Jul 18, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 5 of 27
Hi Boni!
I absolutely agree with you, it is scary but also interesting how things
are able to be manipulated in labs. I always wonder about things that
we have now that we don't take a second thought about, I wonder
how much of it was created in a lab or morphed between two animals
etc. It was also interesting to me as well that the flies without the
spots didn't dance as much. I wonder if that was a coincidence or a
direct correlation in some way.
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Robin Patterson (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/148704)
Jul 22, 2023
Hi Bonnie,
I learned while reading in Chapter 10 of our textbook today that
altering DNA is not new and that it has been used for over 10,000
years in crops and farm animals. The big debate is when it comes to
altering humans. I am not sure how I feel about this topic either and
would only be more comfortable with the topic with a vast amount of
research. It is fascinating however that in this video clip they were
able to fluoresce the wings of that fly.
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Heidi Street (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/136481)
Aug 2, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 6 of 27
Reply
Bonnie,
Like you, I was blown away by the injection of jellyfish DNA into the
fly. It really got me thinking about what in the heck else we can inject
DNA into, and what kind of public health advantages can emerge
from this type of research.
I agree, its the stuff movies are made from!
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Jomer Ibarreta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/26650)
Jul 17, 2023
Researchers now know more about how genes are controlled because
they can turn genes on and off especially in Drosophila flies. It was
exciting to see how a "glowing" gene from a jellyfish make the black spot
gene shine in the experimental fruit fly. The scientists were able to make
a black-spotted fly to light up in the dark. Scientists can turn genes on
and off by targeting and changing specific sequences of DNA using a
method called CRISPR/Cas9. With this technology, scientists have been
able to study how different amounts of gene expression affect the fruit
flies and how these changes affect the way the organism works.
Scientists have also been able to study how environmental cues affect
how genes are turned on and off in these animals by using gene transfer.
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 7 of 27
Researchers can learn more about how genes are controlled with the
help of this technology. The ability to turn on and off DNA genes is a
powerful tool that has changed the way science is done. Researchers can
study the effects of gene expression, come up with new ways to treat
genetic diseases, and even make new organisms and life forms because
they can change genes. In short, being able to turn genes on and off
gives scientists a powerful way to learn more about the complicated
genetic networks that affect life. This helps us learn more about how
diseases start and can lead to new treatments and medicines for a wide
range of conditions, especially genetic disorders.
References:
"CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing: What Is It and What Can It Do? | HHMI
BioInteractive." BioInteractive, 24 Jan. 2018,
www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/crisprcas9-genome-editing-
what-is-it-and-what-can-it-do.
Komor, Adrienne C., et al. "Programmable editing of a target base in
genomic DNA without double-stranded DNA cleavage." Nature 533.7603
(2016): 420-424.
"Switching DNA Genes On and Off: Benefits in Science." National Center
for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904656/
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Ashley Burris (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/142506)
Jul 18, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 8 of 27
Reply
Hi Jomer!
The switches were such a profound idea to me. I enjoyed how you
continued to investigate and shed more light on how important they
are and the things they can be manipulated to achieve. Any aid in
studying and developing new treatments for genetic disorders is a
great step in advancement in our society.
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Tiara Taylor (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)
Jul 24, 2023
Hi Jomer,
Great job mentioning scientists can turn genes on and off by
targeting and changing specific sequences of DNA using a method
called CRISPR/Cas9. It's really amazing to know that scientists are
being able to find key components in what makes animals/insects be
different or go through certain changes as they evolve and what is
causing them to evolve. Hopefully, by scientists being able to turn on
and off genes, it can then be done in regards to diseases (genetic
wise), and other matters that we don't really having a clear
understanding of. Amazing post!
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 9 of 27
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Ashley Burris (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/142506)
Jul 18, 2023
This was a very interesting video clip, was anyone else intrigued by the
background music they chose? Very Suspenseful! It is shocking to know
that only 2% is being utilized for coding in such a big system. Even more
interesting is that it was found that both had the paintbrush gene but
only one produced spots. That immediately started to get my wheels
turning on how that is even possible. The thought of switches in the DNA
is very mind-blowing to me, the complexity that genes have the ability to
switch on and off seems impossible in theory, but that just goes to show
you how impressive the makeup of bodily structure is.
Side Note, how cool would it be if flies actually had glow-in-the-dark
wings? I have always wanted to see a firefly and that was my first
thought, I just found that super cool!
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Bonni Haber (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/107427)
Jul 19, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 10 of 27
Ashley, I did notice the music! Interesting! I too am so fascinated at
the complexity of genes and thought the switches were another part
of our makeup that blows my mind! I'm glad I'm not the only one
totally blown away at all of this! Nice post!
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Robin Patterson (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/148704)
Jul 21, 2023
Hi Ashley,
I did not realize from the video but after doing more research I
discovered that multiple switches can be next to a gene. Thus
different switches can be active at different time during development.
Also, the different switches can be activated with different cells.
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Corbin Miller (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/54253)
Jul 22, 2023
Hello Ashley,
I agree that it is cool that they added DNA from Jellyfish to make the
wings glow to help show the evidence of the experiment working. I
also agree that it is crazy to think about how there are switches and
how they decide whether or not to let specific genes show.
Great discussion!
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 11 of 27
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Amira Betancourt (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/102878)
Jul 24, 2023
Hi Ashley,
I totally agree with you, the jellyfish experiment was super cool. Same
as you, I'm really interested in the science of genes and DNA.
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Heidi Street (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/136481)
Aug 2, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 12 of 27
Reply
Ashley,
The glowing wings after the jellyfish experiment was very cool! It
reminded me of fireflies!
After reading your comment I had to go back a watch the video
again, this time paying extra attention the background music. Its so
dramatic and I laughed thinking it sounds life the music from the
Twilight Zone! I could definitely see them making an episode based
on gene mutations and exaggerated evolution.
Related but unrelated: When I was little, I remember watching an
episode of the twilight zone where the sun was quickly overheating
the earth over the course of a day. Its actually based on climate
change! Pretty freaky!
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Robin Patterson (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/148704)
Jul 18, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 13 of 27
The video was on fruit flies where males have spots on their wings.
However, in some species the males do not have spots on their wings.
The presenter knew the code for what he called the paint brush gene
which was the male fruit fly with the spots. When he compared the genes
of the two species, they both carried the gene for the spots although it
was only visible on one of the species' wings. They both have the
capability but only one of the species uses the gene. He used the large
part of the DNA code known as “junk” which is 98% to look for answers.
The area used was just outside of the paint brush gene in the spotted fly
and put it in the unspotted fly with a glowing protein from jellyfish. The
result was that the unspotted fly developed glowing spots. Switches do
not make genes for other areas like hair or muscle, but they turn on or
turn off the genes that do. In the case of the fruit fly it was revealed to be
a mutation. The fact that only 2% of our DNA codes and the other 98%
contain some switches for turning other genes on or off at different times
and for different lengths of time is fascinating. It also makes it apparent
that scientists can manipulate genes for tests or desired effects which
could be useful in future developments.
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Bonni Haber (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/107427)
Jul 19, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 14 of 27
Robin, great point and observation that scientists could be using this
manipulation for future developments. It makes me wonder how
much of this is already happening and how much of this could help
change the lives of people who pass down genetic mutations to their
children. I hope we continue to use this science to advance medical
treatments and bettering the quality of life of any we can! Great post.
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Corbin Miller (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/54253)
Jul 22, 2023
Edited by Corbin Miller (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/54253) on Jul 22 at 9:09pm
Hello Robin,
I agree that this video helps give evidence that gene altering science
is going to be apart of the future, just makes you think how it will be
used and if there maybe any reproductions to these actions. It is
crazy to think that 98% of the DNA was overlooked yet the answer to
the question at hand was in the 98%.
Great discussion!
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Amira Betancourt (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/102878)
Jul 24, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 15 of 27
Reply
Hey Robin,
I was also talking about how DNA altering could be used to cure
certain illnesses, and I'm hoping more research goes into it!
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Beyonce Miranda-Gomez (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/129249)
Jul 25, 2023
Hello Robin, you have clearly fulfilled a clear understanding in the
research topic, well done! Your explanation was clear and also
confirmed my thoughts as well. I am still shocked the by DNA
percentage fact, ONLY 2%!!!!!! With only two percent known, this
opens the doors of the genetic research world into a bigger and
unknown region. Who knows what can happen now with this small
research on FRUIT FLIES!
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Corbin Miller (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/54253)
Jul 22, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 16 of 27
The video was a great glimpse into the technology of altering DNA and
genes in something as simple as fruit flies. It makes you wonder if that
now that this fruit fly has been adjusted to have its "paint brush" gene
show out that future generations from this specific fly will have their
spots on their wings. Adding to that it is shown that even though the
98% of DNA that was thought to be junk arguably can hold more in it
than previously thought. With this evidence of this "switch" section of the
DNA, does this open new doors to understanding a way to alter the rest
to help out with possible DNA defects that cause health issues. Could
this also open the doors to modifying DNA for helping venerable species
that struggle to survive in an ever changing world?
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Tiara Taylor (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)
Jul 24, 2023
Hi Corbin,
This video was extremely fascinating in regards to the spots on fruit
flies. What made it even better was breaking down how and how
some have spots and some do not. It also makes you wonder how
many different species of animals and insects differ when being a
male or female. In some cases, it's often the female with unique traits
that stand out and the male lacking those traits or not big in size. It
does seem if scientist are able to determine factors in regards to
animals, and insects, then they just might be able to apply this
research to a certain degree to help humans and change how we can
detect illnesses and disorders. Nice post.
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 17 of 27
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Alexis Clements (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137316)
Jul 26, 2023
Edited by Alexis Clements (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137316) on Jul 26 at
6:35pm
Hey Corbin,
Thank you for your contribution to this discussion board. You brought
up an amazing point one that I had not even thought about. Could
this fruit fly, with this newly activated "paint brush" gene, now
reproduce fruit flies with spots as well? Could injecting enough fruit
flies with this gene and releasing them into the wild now cause a
decrease in the amount of fruit flies with no spots? The only thing the
video did not discuss was long-term effects of injecting this fruit fly
with this gene that it had not previously had. Great response and
great observations of the video,
(https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)Tiara Taylor (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)
Jul 24, 2023
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 18 of 27
Reply
The wing mutation in fruit flies is a change in the DNA that causes the
fruit fly to have different wing markings. One of the most common wing
mutations is the "spotted" mutation, which causes the fruit fly to have
black spots on its wings. This mutation is caused by a change in a gene
called the "paintbrush gene." The paintbrush gene is responsible for the
production of a protein that helps to create the black spots on the wings
of the fruit fly.
Other wing mutations in fruit flies can cause the fruit fly to have shorter
wings, longer wings, or even no wings at all. The wing mutation in fruit
flies is a good example of how "junk" DNA can play a role in evolution.
"Junk" DNA is a term that was once used to describe regions of DNA that
did not appear to have any function. Now, scientists have since learned
that "junk" DNA is essential for many important biological processes. The
paintbrush gene is in a region of DNA that was once thought to be "junk"
DNA. Scientists have now discovered that this region of DNA contains
regulatory sequences that control the expression of the paintbrush gene.
These regulatory sequences can be switched on or off, which can affect if
the fruit fly will have wing spots or not.
The video was a nice example of how evolution can work. By changing
the expression of genes, even slight changes in DNA can lead to
substantial changes in the appearance of an organism. Like the saying,
small steps will lead to bigger steps.
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8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 19 of 27
Amira Betancourt (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/102878)
Jul 24, 2023
This video was very informative and thought-provoking. From this
glimpse into DNA-altering technology, we saw that a species as simple
as fruit flies opened the door for such an interesting conversation. The
scientist found a gene named the "paintbrush gene", which caused some
of the flies to have spots. Since the scientist was confused as to why
some of the flies had spots even though both species had the gene, he
did some experimenting and found a mutation that allowed the flies to
switch the gene on and off. This discovery I feel could aid in finding
cures for certain illnesses.
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Beyonce Miranda-Gomez (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/129249)
Jul 25, 2023
Hello Amira, I agree! This "small" research leads to deeper
conversations about and other bigger questions which leads to
bigger answers. It's like a recurring circle that keeps going around
but every time it loops around it gets bigger. Truly enlightening!
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Alexis Clements (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137316)
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 20 of 27
Reply
Jul 26, 2023
Hey Amira,
Thank you for your contribution to this discussion board. I agree with
you this video we definitely thought-provoking especially for it to only
have been about 5 minutes long. I don't know if "confused" would
necessarily be the word I would use to describe the interest in the
difference. He was more so intrigued and/or curious as to what could
be causing this minor difference in such similar species. However,
your recap of the video was right on point and I enjoyed reading your
response.
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Beyonce Miranda-Gomez (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/129249)
Jul 25, 2023
There is a reason why scientific research is so important and heavily
studied, it is because of questions and discoveries from the video. In just
5 minutes, we are introduced to new species, surprising facts, new genes
or pieces of DNA, and much more. In just 5 minutes, which I am sure
took a lot more than 5 minutes for Carroll, we learned more about DNA
through one small scientific question. This is why scientific researches
are important, one question can and will lead to multiple answers. In this
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 21 of 27
Reply
are important, one question can and will lead to multiple answers. In this
case, the spotted and non-spotted fruit flies were in question, what
makes some of them have or not have these spots. This lead to 3 general
steps: compare, discover, and test. In the discover portion of Carroll's
research there was a surprising fact, 98% of the double helix does not
code for proteins, no one really knows what it does. Meaning, only 2% of
our DNA is known, only 2% of our DNA is responsible of making us who
we are, ONLY 2%!!! Imagine what the rest of the 98% can do! This alone
leads to more questions of the unknown. In the end, Carroll found a piece
of DNA, not a gene (which also blows my mind in itself cause how can
DNA not be a gene,) that switches certain aspects of the actualy genes
on or off. In the end, I am left with this question, what enables the on or
off switch? What makes it go on and what makes it decide to turn on?
This is why scientific research will always be recurring and important,
there is so much to learn and so much to question. Some might question
why we need to know this about fruit flies. To answer, firstly, I question if
humans have a switch gene, if so, this in itself does a lot for our future
understanding. Secondly, I want to introduce you all to the case of
Dengue fever. It is a worldwide endemic which is fatal to some and minor
to others. It was a research in our past writing assignment. It is also
similar to the question of spots and no spots, these questions are
different in important but both correlate in finding answers. It was found
that the mixture of different Dengue fever forms makes people react
severely and die. This answer was found while looking in the same
"genetic machinery" in which Carroll found his own answer. So, in
science, questions lead to answers but they also lead to bigger questions
and bigger answers. Answers that can change the world.
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 22 of 27
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Alexis Clements (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137316)
Jul 26, 2023
Through watching the video, the focus was on fruit flies and how one
species has a trait that another species does not. There are two species
of fruit flies, one which has spots on its wings and another with no spots
on its wings. Research was conducted to determine what gene caused
the difference between fruit flies, and what was in the DNA of the spotted
wing fruit flies that the other fruit flies did not have. Through this
research it was found that both species of fruit flies carried the gene that
caused the wing spots, this gene was known as the paint brush gene.
How could both species carry the gene but only some exhibit the
physical trait? This was the question that needed to be answered. Further
research was conducted through the DNA of the spotted wing fruit flies
and regular wing fruit flies for difference. It was found that there was a
difference in their DNA. The spotted wing fruit flies carried a gene known
as the "Switch" gene which essentially activated the "Paint brush" gene
and allowed them to exhibit spots. To prove this theory the fruit flies with
no spots were injected with the gene known as the" Switch" gene, and
from this action their "Paint Brush" gene was now activated and they now
exhibit the same trait as the other flies. This video was extremely
interesting and through this research we learned that just because a
species does not exhibit a trait does not mean they do not have the gene
that causes the trait. Learning switch genes showed us that some traits
have to be activated, even though they are already possessed.
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 23 of 27
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Heidi Street (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/136481)
Aug 2, 2023
The video reviews research into the disparity in wing spots between two
closely related fruit fly species. The video highlights that despite sharing
a specific gene responsible for this trait, its manifestation hinges on
gene activation. This activation is orchestrated by an enhancer, a
segment of noncoding DNA once deemed insignificant, now recognized
as a pivotal "switch."
The two closely related fruit fly species share a paintbrush gene
accountable for their coloration, yet each possesses distinct regulatory
switches governing its utilization. One fly species utilizes the paintbrush
gene for wing spots, while the other does not. This discrepancy is
contingent upon how the gene is managed during their development.
The video posits that evolution doesn't hinge on generating new genes;
rather, it ensues through mutations altering switches to elicit functions
from existing genes. With the addition or removal of gene switches, new
variations emerge. As these traits are transmitted to successive
generations, it leads to the eventual formation of new species.
8/11/23, 6:32 PM Page 24 of 27
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(https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/113155)Cori Perry (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/113155)
Sunday
I honestly wished this video could have lasted longer. I found everything
about it so interesting way scientists can maneuver genes to make
something exactly how they want it... mind-blowing. To be able to
discover "switches" just by studying fruit flies is a phenomenal feat. The 2
flies had identical genes for the spots on the wings, the paintbrush gene,
however only one had the spots. upon further investigation, they
discovered another stretch of DNA that was different in the fly with wing
spots. Once they injected the same stretch of DNA into the unspotted fly,
along with some glowing jellyfish DNA, the spots appeared, and glowed.
They discovered that these sets of DNA are called switches and they
allow animals to use different parts of DNA.
(https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137133)
Claudia Huerta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137133)
12:30pm
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The “Switching Genes On and Off (http://video.pbs.org/video/1503825140/) “ video provides a valuable overview of gene expression and the mechanisms by which genes are switched on and off in cells. It highlights the importance of gene regulation in controlling cellular processes and determining cell fate and function.
One key concept discussed in the video is the role of transcription factors in gene regulation. Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences and can either activate or repress gene expression. By binding to promoter regions of genes, transcription factors can recruit other proteins and enzymes to either enhance or inhibit the initiation of transcription. This dynamic process allows cells to respond to various internal and external cues and adjust gene expression accordingly.
The video also introduces the concept of epigenetics, which refers to heritable changes in gene expression without alterations to the DNA sequence itself. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, can act as "on" or "off" switches for genes. These modifications can be influenced by environmental factors and can have long-lasting effects on gene expression patterns, potentially impacting an individual's health and development.
In terms of DNA research, understanding the mechanisms of gene regulation is crucial for advancing our knowledge of biology and human health. Researchers are actively studying the intricate regulatory networks that control gene expression, aiming to unravel the complexity of cellular processes and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Additionally, the video highlights the potential applications of this knowledge in the field of synthetic biology. By manipulating gene expression and designing synthetic DNA sequences, scientists can engineer cells with desired functions or produce specific gene products for medical and industrial purposes. This emerging field holds promise for advancements in
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industrial purposes. This emerging field holds promise for advancements in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture.
In conclusion, the "Switching Genes On and Off" video provides a comprehensive introduction to the mechanisms of gene expression and regulation. It emphasizes the central role of transcription factors and epigenetic modifications in controlling gene activity. Understanding these processes is crucial for DNA research, as it allows us to unravel the intricacies of cellular functions and explore applications in synthetic biology.
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