Ward's® AP Biology Investigation 8: Genetics and Information Transfer: Transformation

Meets AP Science Practices 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7, and Big Idea 3.

• Students practice techniques for molecular genetics
• Determine transformation efficiency

Transformation, a basic principle of genetic engineering used to study the uptake and expression of foreign DNA by a recipient, results in the acquisition of a particular trait or traits by a recipient lacking those traits. In this investigation, students will transform common bacteria that are killed by antibiotics with a plasmid containing DNA that will confer antibiotic resistance. Students will then calculate efficiencies and analyze factors that might alter the efficacy of transformation to determine ways to improve the results.

The Only Kits Aligned with AP Science Practices. Ward's AP Biology Investigations provide complete coverage of the Four Big Ideas and Seven Science Practices to help you meet new AP Biology curriculum standards and prepare students for real-world success in college and research-level labs. Each investigation follows a series of three parts, beginning with a structured lab investigation, followed by a related guided inquiry investigation with thoughtful assessment questions, and finally, suggestions to encourage students to formulate their own questions and explore further self-guided experimentation. This complete series of investigations emphasizes the progression to fully student-directed investigations and builds competence in all of the science practices, helping students:
•Practice concept application instead of fact memorization.
•Focus on self-guided experimentation instead of step-by-step lab procedure.
•Investigate real-world concepts with greater curriculum flexibility.
•Apply problem-solving skills to strengthen student inquiry.

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