Virtual Laboratory Activities – Unit 7 and Unit 8
Unit 7 Virtual Lab Assignment
Experiment 5 – Data Collection and Result
Homologous Recombination, Gene Linkage and Independent Assortment in Fruit Flies
Trait Studied Parent Recombinant Observation Inference
Phenotype Phenotype
Body Color and Gray body, Black body, Majority of Genes are
Wing Type normal wings vestigial wings offspring linked and
displayed crossing over
parental traits. occurred.
Recombinants
appeared less
frequently.
Eye Color and Red eyes, White eyes, Recombinant Gene linkage
Wing Type normal wings vestigial wings offspring reduces
appeared less independent
frequently than inheritance.
parental
offspring.
Gene Linkage Linked traits New trait Linked genes Crossing over
Analysis inherited combinations tended to be can separate
together appeared inherited linked genes.
occasionally together.
Independent Traits on Multiple Several trait Genes on
Assortment separate combinations combinations different
chromosomes observed occurred chromosomes
among assort
offspring. independently.
Results and Observations
Parental phenotypes occurred more frequently than recombinant phenotypes.
Recombinant offspring resulted from crossing over during meiosis.
Gene linkage influenced inheritance patterns.
Independent assortment increased genetic variation.
Recombination frequency provided evidence of gene distance on chromosomes.
Conclusion
The virtual laboratory demonstrated the process of homologous recombination in fruit flies.
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes exchanged genetic material through crossing
over, producing recombinant offspring. The parental phenotypes occurred more frequently
than recombinant phenotypes, indicating that some genes were linked on the same
chromosome. Independent assortment also contributed to genetic variation among
offspring. The experiment showed that recombination frequency can be used to estimate
gene distance. Overall, homologous recombination plays an important role in inheritance
and genetic diversity.
Unit 8 Virtual Lab Assignment
Experiment 6 – Data Collection and Result
Table 1. Expression Gene 1A
Set 1 Results Inference
Positive Transcription mRNA was produced Positive transcription
Factor + Polymerase successfully. factors activate
transcription by helping
RNA polymerase bind to
DNA.
Table 2. Expression Gene 1B
Set 2 Results Inference
Negative Transcription Little or no mRNA was Negative transcription
Factor + Polymerase produced. factors inhibit transcription
and reduce gene expression.
Table 3. Expression Gene 1C
Set 3 Results Inference
Positive Transcription mRNA and protein were Gene expression involves
Factor + Polymerase + produced. transcription followed by
Ribosome translation.
Table 4. Expression Gene 2
Set 1 Observations Inference
Positive TF Type 1 & 2, Protein production mRNA destroyers regulate
Polymerase, Ribosome, occurred but mRNA was gene expression by
mRNA Destroyer later degraded. reducing mRNA lifespan.
Table 5. Expression Gene 3A
Set 1 Results Inference
Positive TF Type 1 + Very limited protein One activator alone was
Polymerase + Ribosome production occurred. insufficient for maximum
expression.
Table 6. Expression Gene 3B
Set 2 Results Inference
Positive TF Type 1 & 2 + Significant protein Multiple activators can
Polymerase + Ribosome production occurred. work together to enhance
transcription.
Table 7. mRNA 1
Set 1 Results Inference
Middle concentration/low Low mRNA production Low affinity decreases
affinity TF + low affinity observed. transcription efficiency.
polymerase
Table 8. mRNA 2
Set 2 Results Inference
High concentration/high High mRNA production High concentration and
affinity TF + high affinity observed. affinity increase
polymerase transcription rates.
Table 9. Multiple Cells 1
Set 1 Observations Inference
High TF, low mRNA Proteins were produced Fast degradation limits
destroyer, high affinities, rapidly but degraded protein accumulation
fast degradation quickly. despite active transcription.
Table 10. Multiple Cells 2
Set 2 Observations Inference
High TF, high mRNA Protein production was Increased mRNA
destroyer, high affinities, reduced but proteins destruction lowers
slow degradation remained longer. expression while slow
degradation increases
protein persistence.
Missing Enzymes and Their Implications
Inefficient Synthesis of the Lagging Strand – DNA Ligase.
Absence of a Particular Amino Acid in the Polypeptide Chain – Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase.
Presence of Thymine Dimers – DNA Photolyase (DNA Repair Enzyme).
Conclusion
This virtual laboratory activity demonstrated important concepts of genetics and molecular
biology. The Unit 7 experiment showed how homologous recombination, gene linkage, and
independent assortment contribute to genetic variation in fruit flies. The Unit 8 experiment
demonstrated how transcription factors, RNA polymerase, ribosomes, and mRNA
degradation regulate gene expression. Changes in transcription factor concentration and
affinity significantly affected mRNA and protein production. The experiments highlighted
the importance of regulatory mechanisms in controlling cellular activities. Overall, both
activities improved understanding of inheritance, genetic diversity, and gene regulation in
living organisms.