CRISPR: Genome Editing Science

Virtual School Program

  • All
  • Grade 12
A smiling educator  presents in front of a microscope,  a model of DNA and models of a plant and animal cell

Curriculum Connections:

Strands A, B and D : Scientific Investigation Skills, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
A1.1 formulate relevant scientific questions about observed relationships, ideas, problems, or issues, make informed predictions, and/or formulate educated hypotheses to focus inquiries or research
A1.8 synthesize, analyse, interpret, and evaluate qualitative and/or quantitative data to determine whether the evidence supports or refutes the initial prediction or hypothesis and whether it is consistent with scientific theory; identify sources of bias and/or error; and suggest improvements to the inquiry to reduce the likelihood of error
A1.10 draw conclusions based on inquiry results and research findings, and justify their conclusions with reference to scientific knowledge
A1.11 communicate ideas, plans, procedures, results, and conclusions orally, in writing, and/or in electronic presentations, using appropriate language and a variety of formats
A2.1 identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study (e.g., scientific journalist, fisheries and wildlife officer, physician, infectious disease researcher, geneticist) and the education and training necessary for these careers
A2.2 describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to the fields under study
B1.1 analyse technological applications related to enzyme activity in the food and pharmaceutical industries
B1.2 evaluate, on the basis of research, some advances in cellular biology and related technological applications
B3.2 describe the structure of important biochemical compounds, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and explain their function within cells
B3.4 describe the chemical structures and mechanisms of various enzymes
D1.1 analyse, on the basis of research, some of the social, ethical, and legal implications of biotechnology
D1.2 analyse, on the basis of research, some key aspects of Canadian regulations pertaining to biotechnology
D2.1 use appropriate terminology related to molecular genetics, including, but not limited to: polymerase I, II, and III, DNA ligase, helicase, Okazaki fragment, mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, codon, anticodon, translation, transcription, and ribosome subunits
D3.5 describe some examples of genetic modification, and explain how it is applied in industry and agriculture
D3.6 describe the functions of some of the cell components used in biotechnology
Strands A, B and F : Scientific Investigation Skills, Medical Technologies & Biotechnology
A1.1 formulate relevant scientific questions about observed relationships, ideas, problems, or issues, make informed predictions, and/or formulate educated hypotheses to focus inquiries or research
A1.8 synthesize, analyse, interpret, and evaluate qualitative and/or quantitative data to determine whether the evidence supports or refutes the initial prediction or hypothesis and whether it is consistent with scientific theory; identify sources of bias and/or error; and suggest improvements to the inquiry to reduce the likelihood of error
A1.10 draw conclusions based on inquiry results and research findings, and justify their conclusions with reference to scientific knowledge
A1.11 communicate ideas, plans, procedures, results, and conclusions orally, in writing, and/or in electronic presentations, using appropriate language and a variety of formats
A2.1 identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study (e.g., nuclear medicine technician, nurse practitioner, hematologist, dietitian, geneticist) and the education and training necessary for these careers
A2.2 describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians (e.g., Frederick Banting, John A. Hopps, Louis Siminovitch, Jean Cuthand Goodwill, Nancy Olivieri), to the field under study
B1.1 assess the costs and benefits of a conventional medical technology, therapy, or device that is used to diagnose or treat a human health condition (e.g., diagnostic technologies such as X-rays and ultrasound; surgical procedures such as laser removal of tumours; biomedical devices such as prosthetics)
B3.4 describe the function and use of technologies, devices, and techniques for biomedical repair (e.g., prosthetics, artificial organs, plastic surgery)
B3.5 describe a recent technological development or advance in diagnosis or treatment in the health care field (e.g., artificial skin for burn victims, artificial and transgenic organ transplants, smart drugs, nanotechnologies, biophotonics
F1.1 analyse social issues related to an application of biotechnology in the health, agricultural, or environmental sector (e.g., issues related to the uses of genetically modified organisms or to the uses and availability of in vitro fertilization)
F1.2 analyse, on the basis of research, ethical and legal issues related to an application of biotechnology in the health, agricultural, or environmental sector (e.g., ethical questions related to xenotransplantation; legal issues related to access to an individual’s genetic information)
F2.1 use appropriate terminology related to biotechnology, including, but not limited to: selective breeding, hybridization, replication, mutation, genomics, and gene therapy
F2.3 investigate, through laboratory inquiry or computer simulation, a recently developed biotechnological method used in the health sector (e.g., the process of electrophoresis to degrade DNA)
F2.4 investigate, through laboratory inquiry or computer simulation, a recently developed biotechnological method used in the field of agriculture (e.g., bioremediation of a chemical fertilizer spill; the cloning of corn; the use of synthetic hormones to promote growth in livestock)
F3.1 explain various methods used, over time, in the field of biotechnology (e.g., use of living organisms to make or modify products, selective breeding to create particular breeds of animals, manipulation of genes to develop organisms with particular traits)
F3.2 explain the structure and functions of macromolecules (e.g., DNA, RNA) and the synthesis of proteins (e.g., transcription, translation, gene expression)
F3.3 describe applications of biotechnology in the health (e.g., genomics, gene therapy, xenotransplantation, in vitro fertilization), agricultural (e.g., genetically modified crops, biopesticides, cloning), and environmental sectors (e.g., bioremediation, phytoremediation)