Genetics in Inbred Arabidopsis - Teacher's Guide
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Abstract
Abstract: Designed as a whole-class experiment, students work in teams to understand genotypic
variation among recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Seeds are
used from two parent lines, Columbia and Landsberg, as well as numerous recombinant inbred lines
(RILs) developed by crossing the parent lines. In a guided inquiry investigation, students sow and
cultivate all the plants in the same controlled environments (to minimize variation due to environment),
and monitor traits to observe genetic variation among the RILs. Protocols are provided to investigate
whether given traits are continuous (quantitative) traits – the result of multiple genes, or if they are
discrete traits – the result of a single gene. In addition to this guided inquiry, students may also choose
other traits to investigate. Students can even propose whether a continuous trait is linked to one of the
discrete traits or not. Student teams pool data with other teams in the class to analyze trends and
patterns, such as identifying continuous versus discrete traits, and determining potential genetic
linkages among traits. Students communicate with scientist mentors online to discuss their experiment,
from generating questions to constructing evidence-based conclusions.
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