The Mystery of the Massively Muscular Myostatin Bull
Author(s)
Abstract
The central dogma of molecular biology is an essential topic in undergraduate biology, but transcription and translation are also some of the most difficult concepts for students to grasp, visualize, and apply to other biological concepts, e.g., phenotypical changes, genetic diseases, and mutations. This directed case study is designed to help students master this material by relating the story of a pair of undergraduates, “Arnold” and “Jack,” as they attempt to understand the biological mystery behind a bull expressing extreme muscle definition. The case makes use of the “flipped” approach by having students watch a set of videos before engaging the case in class so that they are prepared to explore the concepts of transcription, translation, and how various types of DNA mutations can have an effect on the generation of a protein. Originally written for introductory-level undergraduate biology classes, the case can easily be adapted for use in upper-level classes to address topics like gene expression, epigenetics, and biotechnology-based approaches.
Objectives
- Apply knowledge of transcription and be able to generate mRNA from a given DNA strand.
- Apply knowledge of translation and be able to generate a polypeptide sequence from a mRNA strand.
- Identify DNA mutations that can alter protein structure and function.
Keywords
Transcription; translation; central dogma; muscle; double muscling; cows; myostatin; gene; mutation; genetic diseases; CRISPR; biotechnology; body building; muscle wastingTopical Areas
N/AEducational Level
Undergraduate lower divisionFormat
PDFType / Methods
Directed, FlippedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Biology (General) | Biotechnology | Molecular Biology | Science (General) |
Date Posted
8/16/2020Teaching Notes
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Answer Key
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Videos
The following video(s) are recommended for use in association with this case study.
- DNA, Hot Pockets and the Longest Word Ever
Running time: 14:07 min. Produced by Crash Course Biology, 2011. - DNA Replication and Transcription and Translation
Running time: 15:23 min. Produced by Khan Academy, n.d. - Transcription
Running time: 2:50 min. Produced by NDSU Virtual Cell Animations Project, 2008. - Transcription and Translation: From DNA to Protein
Running time: 6:26 min. Produced by Professor Dave Explains, 2016. - The World’s Strongest Toddler
Running time: 1:33 min. Produced by Nine Lives Media, 2020.