Objective: KWBAT create models to explain how the structure of protein molecules cause differences in traits.
Part 1: Do Now
Word bank:
Molecule
Protein
Structure
Trait
1
1
Part 2: Observing Protein in Sim
1
1
1
You are now ready to complete your TR Ch 1 Task.
You can find your chapter task in Google Classroom.
Question 1
1.
Look at the Family Tree above.
Use what you learned from the article you read yesterday. Specifically, Question 8 from TR 1.3!
Why do some of Darwin’s bark spiders have different traits for silk flexibility?
Question 2
2.
Do you think that the offspring got their trait for silk flexibility from one parent?
PART 2A - Silk Flexibility
In the previous lesson, we used physical models to examine how different protein molecules with different structures might connect to form more flexible or less flexible spider silk. In this lesson, you will observe the structures of protein molecules in the Sim to build on what you learned during that activity
Launch the Traits and Reproduction Sim
Find two more spiders, each with a different trait for silk flexibility (high, medium, or low).
Question 3
3.
Compare the protein molecules in each of the spider’s cells.
Record your observations in the data table.
PART 2B - Another Feature
Question 4
4.
Repeat the process for part 1; this time, however, choose a different feature from the top menu (instead of silk flexibility).
(For protein molecular structure, how many types of proteins do you see and what is their structure?)
Question 5
5.
Reflect back on SILK FLEXIBILITY.
Each protein molecule connects to more protein molecules to form a silk strand.
Predict which type of protein molecule you think will form the most flexible strand. Explain your answer.
Sentence Starter: I predict that protein ___ will form the most flexible strand because…
