This paper presents an activity that engages students in model-based reasoning, requiring them to predict the behavior of the trp and lac operons under different environmental conditions. Students are presented six scenarios for the trp operon and five for the lac operon. In most of the scenarios, specific mutations have occurred in genetic elements of the system that alter the behavior from the norm. Students are also challenged to relate their understanding of operon behavior to the “Big Ideas” of homeostasis, evolution, information, interactions, and emergent properties. By using operons to teach students to reason with models of complex systems and understand broad themes, we equip them with powerful skills and ideas that form a solid foundation for their future learning in biology.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
January 2015
Research Article|
January 01 2015
Teaching the Big Ideas of Biology with Operon Models
Robert A. Cooper
Robert A. Cooper
1ROBERT A. COOPER is a biology teacher at Pennsbury High School, Fairless Hills, PA 19030; e-mail: bcooper721@gmail.com.
Search for other works by this author on:
The American Biology Teacher (2015) 77 (1): 30–39.
Citation
Robert A. Cooper; Teaching the Big Ideas of Biology with Operon Models. The American Biology Teacher 1 January 2015; 77 (1): 30–39. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2015.77.1.5
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.