1. St. John Fisher College: Noveera Ahmed Ed Freeman
Why are my cells different?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Joe Duffy
Ally Hunter
Luis Vidali
St. John Fisher College: Noveera Ahmed
Ed Freeman
Facilitators: Jennifer Nauen, University of Delaware Jessamina Blum, Yale University

2. Classroom Setting Freshman Level Course: Introductory Biology
Coverage to this point includes:
scientific method,
cell theory,
structure/function/replication of DNA,
transcription and translation
Our UNIT – Eukaryotic Gene Expression
(The Next Theme: Gene Regulation)

3. Learning Goals
Learning Outcomes
1. Students will have conceptual
understanding of the central dogma.
2. Students will have conceptual
understanding of What a gene is?
3. Students will understand the role of the central dogma in cellular differentiation
3. Students will be able to:
a. create a concept map to review the flow of
genetic information in a cell.
b. identify and explain the various levels at
which gene expression may occur.
c. interpret and construct graphical
representations of data.
d. apply this understanding to a novel
situation
e. appreciate the biological significance of diversity.
4. Students will appreciate our limits in understanding gene expression (past and future).

4. Eukaryotic Gene Expression
Lesson objectives:
• be able to create a concept map to review the flow of genetic information in a cell.
• be able to identify and explain the various levels at which gene expression may occur.
• be able to interpret and construct graphical representations of data.
• be able to apply this understanding to a new situation
• be able to appreciate diversity within and between organisms.

5. Why are my cells different?

6. What are the differences?

7. Let's review Central Dogma – build a concept map.
1. In your small groups, write the
following terms on the provided post-it notes
DNA
RNA
Protein
Transcription
Translation
DNA
2. Use markers to draw the location of the nucleus and cytoplasm with respect to your labeled sticky notes

8. What happens if Transcription is off?
Central
Dogma
What happens if Transcription is off?
DNA
Nucleus
RNA
Transcription
Cytoplasm
Translation
Protein ?

9. What happens if Translation is off?
Central
Dogma
What happens if Translation is off?
DNA
Nucleus
RNA
Transcription
Cytoplasm
Translation
Protein ?

10. Let's consider this in the context of differences in cell types
What do the data in the graph below demonstrate? Consult with your neighbor and write a one sentence description.
Cardiac
Muscle
cell
Epidermal
Skin cell
Myosin
protein
levels
Myosin is a family of proteins that play a role in a
variety of cell processes including muscle contraction.

11. Myosin levels are different. How can this be explained?
Clicker question:
Myosin levels are different.
How can this be explained?
A.Regulation of Transcription.
B. Regulation of Translation.
DNA
Nucleus
RNA
Transcription
Cytoplasm
Translation
Protein

12. Using your Clickers answer the following question:
Where is the greater similarity in DNA?
                A. between different cell types in the same individual.
                B. between same cell types in different individuals.

13. What about differences between cells?
Keratin is a key structural protein making up the outer layer of skin.

14. Let's revisit diversity... On the graphs you were given:
Plot your understanding of gene
expression plot with a neighbor the
expected protein levels of Keratin.
Duff’s cells
Keratin
protein
levels
Epidermal
Skin cell
Cardiac
cell
Neuron
White blood
cell

15. Different levels of Keratin are expressed in different cell types!
Cardiac
cell
Skin cell –
keratinocyte
Neuron
Duff’s cells
White blood
We predict:
Different levels of Keratin are expressed in different cell types!

16. Given your understanding of gene expression plot with a neighbor the expected protein levels of Keratin.
Keratin
Protein levels
in epidermal cell
Noveera Ed
Ally
Luis
Duff

17. Different people have similar levels of
Keratin
levels
Skin cell - keratinocyte
Noveera ED
Ally
Luis
Duff
Different people have similar levels of
Keratin expression in Skin cells (keratinocytes)!

18. Through changes in gene expression diversity in cell types can arise!