Environmental Influence on Gene Networks

Lesson 1: IntroductionLesson 1: Introduction

Created through a partnership between teachers, students and scientists

In What Ways do Cells Change in Response to a Dynamic Environment?

Why?

After a week on the beach?

Same caterpillar... Why?

In What Ways do Cells Change in Response to a Dynamic Environment?

Why?

Same flamingo...

Same fly...

Why?

Why?

Same plant...

Identical Twins

Same DNA, different fingerprints

How can this be?

Which part(s) can change temporarily?

Mount St. Helens

WHY does a changing environment have an influence on cells?

What mechanisms are in place to allow cells to change?

How can WE test these?Nasa.gov

Model Organisms

Some biological processes operate exactly the same in many different organisms.

Halobacterium salinarum processes its genetic material in a way that is very similar to the way humans do!

Model Organisms

Model organisms are relatively simple, but their properties and functions of

interest are similar to those in more complex

organisms.Halobacterium salinarum

is SAFE for beginning scientists to use.

Model Organisms

The environment can also be more easily controlled in

model organism studies.

Explore How Halo Change in a Dynamic Environment

• Which environmental conditions are characteristic for Halo?

• What experiment could be feasibly (or fairly easily with

our equipment) completed to test how Halo respond to an environmental change?