Contextualization

Genes and cells are the fundamental components of life. They are the building blocks of all living organisms, from single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular organisms like plants and animals. Understanding genes and cells is, therefore, crucial in comprehending the workings of life itself.

Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. They determine an organism's traits, such as eye color in humans or fur color in cats. These traits are passed from parents to offspring through the transmission of genes. This process is called inheritance and is the basis of our genetic makeup.

Cells, on the other hand, are the basic units of life. They are the smallest entities that can carry out the functions of life. All living organisms are composed of cells, which come in many different shapes and sizes, each specialized for a particular function. Cellular processes, such as cell division and DNA replication, are the mechanisms by which life grows and reproduces.

Understanding genes and cells is not only fascinating but also has far-reaching implications in many fields, from medicine to agriculture. In medicine, for instance, understanding how genes and cells work is crucial in treating and preventing genetic diseases. In agriculture, it is used in the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to improve crop yields and resistance to pests and diseases.

Introduction

In this project, we will explore the world of genes and cells through a series of fun and engaging activities. These activities are designed to give you a hands-on experience of the concepts of genes and cells, as well as the processes that occur within them.

To begin, we will start with an interactive discussion about genes and cells, their functions, and their importance in life. We will then move on to the first activity, where you will extract DNA from strawberries. This will give you a glimpse into the world of cells and the genetic material they contain.

Next, we will move on to a group activity called "Pass the Trait". This role-playing activity will help you understand the concept of inheritance and how traits are passed from parents to offspring through genes.

Finally, we will conclude the project with a reflection and discussion session, where you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and insights about the project and what you have learned.

Resources

1. Khan Academy: Genes
2. BBC Bitesize: Cells
3. Genetic Science Learning Centre: Cells
4. National Human Genome Research Institute: Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms
5. Book: "The Gene: An Intimate History" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Practical Activity

Activity 1: Extracting DNA from Strawberries

Objective of the project

The objective of this project is to understand the concept of cells and genes by extracting DNA from strawberries. By the end of this activity, you should have a basic understanding of what DNA is, where it's located, and why it's important.

Description of the project

In this project, you will work in groups of 3-5. Each group will be provided with strawberries and a few simple household items. You will use these materials to extract DNA from the strawberries.

Necessary materials

• Fresh strawberries
• Ziplock bags
• Water
• Dish soap
• Salt
• Coffee filter
• Funnel
• Rubbing alcohol
• Clear plastic cups
• Wooden stick

Detailed step-by-step

1. Place a ripe strawberry into a ziplock bag and seal it tightly. Make sure to remove as much air as possible.

2. Using your hands, mash the strawberry in the bag until it is a pulpy consistency. This breaks down the cell walls and releases the DNA.

3. In a clear plastic cup, mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap, and 1/4 cup of water. Stir the mixture gently to avoid creating too many bubbles.

4. Pour the mixture into the ziplock bag containing the mashed strawberry. Close the bag tightly and gently mix the contents by swirling the bag. Make sure not to shake vigorously to avoid creating too much foam.

5. Let the bag sit for 5 minutes, occasionally swirling it gently. This allows the detergent in the mixture to break down the lipids (fats) in the cell and nuclear membranes.

6. Place a coffee filter in a funnel and place the funnel over a clear plastic cup. Pour the contents of the ziplock bag into the filter. The coffee filter will strain out the solid pieces of the strawberry, leaving the liquid (containing the DNA) in the cup.

7. Slowly pour a small amount of cold rubbing alcohol (about the same volume as the strawberry mixture) down the side of the cup, forming a layer on top of the strawberry mixture. Do not mix the two layers.

8. Wait for a few minutes. As the DNA is less dense than the rubbing alcohol, it will rise into the alcohol layer, forming a visible clump. This is the extracted DNA!

Project Deliverables

1. Written Document: After carrying out the practical activity, each group should write a report about their findings. The report should contain the following sections:

   • Introduction: Briefly explain the purpose of the project and its relevance. Also, describe the theory behind the project (genes, cells, and DNA) and how this activity relates to that theory.

   • Development: Detail the steps of the activity, the methodology used, and the results obtained. Discuss any challenges faced during the project and how they were overcome.

   • Conclusion: Summarize the main findings of the project and what you have learned from it. Reflect on how this activity has improved your understanding of genes, cells, and DNA.

   • Bibliography: Indicate the sources of information you used to work on the project (books, web pages, videos, etc.).

2. Presentation: Each group will present their project findings to the class. The presentation should include an overview of the activity, a demonstration of the DNA extraction process, and a discussion of the results and what they mean in the context of genes and cells.

3. Group Discussion: After all the presentations, there will be a group discussion where you can all share your thoughts and insights about the project. This will be an opportunity to learn from each other and deepen your understanding of the concepts discussed in the project.

Duration of the Project

This project can be completed in a single 2-hour session. The written report and the presentation can be done in the following week. The total time commitment for each student is expected to be around 5 hours.

Group Size

The project should be done in groups of 3-5 students. This will allow for effective collaboration and division of tasks.