Biotechnology
Timeline WebQuest
Purpose
Gene splicing, molecular biology, bioremediation,
genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, ergonomics, and the list goes
on. Have you ever wondered about some of these ideas? Biotechnology is the
branch of engineering science in which principles of engineering and technology
are applied to the life sciences in order to improve life or to enhance life.
In this project, you will be exploring the
evolution of biotechnology and learning about the various people, events, and
ideas that are shaping this very “young” field of study. During your research,
you will discover just how “young” biotechnology really is and how it has been
used in many unexpected areas.
Equipment
· 3 sheets of 8.5x11 inch
paper
· Internet
· Science reference books
· Encyclopedias
Procedure
In this project using a WebQuest
approach, you will research one of the milestones in the evolution of
biotechnology from the event, people, or idea listing. After completing your
research, you will prepare Timeline cards that will be used in crafting the
final timeline.
You and your classmates using the Timeline cards
will create a scaled timeline of the biotechnical discoveries and inventions
you researched. After crafting the main timeline from the timeline cards, you
will include personal reference dates (i.e., birth date, issue date of driver’s
license, grandparent birth date, PLTW teacher’s first year of teaching, and
first use of biotechnology) to aid you in referencing significant events.
You will conclude your research by completing a
student reflection on two milestones from the timeline. For each selected
discovery or idea, invention, or milestone, you will note the impact and
relationship to previous historical events and innovations.
From each of the lists below, select one milestone
from each category. Check with your teacher so that you do not choose one that
has already been selected.
Historical Milestones in Biotechnology
|
PEOPLE (Select One) |
|
1.
Bacteria are discovered by Leeuwenhoek. |
|
2.
Cells are first described by Hooke. |
|
3.
Centrifuge is developed by |
|
4.
Microscope is invented by Janssen. |
|
5.
Smallpox vaccination is developed by Jenner. |
|
6.
X-rays are discovered by Roentgen. |
|
7.
ABO blood types are discovered in humans by Landsteiner. |
|
8.
Band-aids are invented by Dickson. |
|
9.
Electron microscope is invented by Knott and Ruska. |
|
10.
Iron lung machine is invented by Drinker. |
|
11.
Kidney dialysis machine is invented by Kolff.
|
|
12.
Penicillin, the first antibiotic, is discovered by Fleming. |
|
13.
Polygraph machine (lie detector) is invented by Larson. |
|
14.
Internal pacemaker is developed by Greatbatch.
|
|
15.
The air conditioner is invented by Carrier. |
|
16.
Artificial heart (Jarvik-7) is invented by Jarvik.
|
|
17.
Computer-controlled smart pill is developed by Schentag. |
|
18.
DNA fingerprinting techniques are developed by Jeffreys.
|
|
19.
Optical camouflage system, the “modern invisible man,” is invented by Tachi, Inami, and Kawakami. |
|
20.
Austrian botanist and monk Gregor Mendel
proposes basics laws of heredity. |
|
21.
The process of pasteurization is discovered by Louis Pasteur. |
|
22.
Locksmith that invented the hydraulic press. |
|
23.
Locksmith that invented the hydraulic jack or portable hydraulic
press. |
|
24.
German engineer that invented the first air pump. |
|
25.
German engineer that invented the pneumatic drill. |
|
26.
German engineer that invented the pneumatic hammer. |
|
27.
German engineer that invented the pneumatic train subway. |
|
28.
German engineer that invented the pneumatic tube. |
|
EVENTS (Select One) |
|
1.
Artificial insemination of livestock using frozen semen is
successfully accomplished. |
|
2.
Restriction enzymes that cut and splice genetic material are
discovered. |
|
3.
Human insulin is first produced by genetically engineered bacteria (Humilin). |
|
4.
Electrocardiograph machine invention wins Einthoven the Nobel Prize. |
|
5.
Mendel studies pea plants and lays the groundwork for the field of
genetics. (Mendel publishes his findings in 1866.) |
|
6.
Invitrofertilization results in the birth
of the first test-tube baby Louise Brown. |
|
7.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques are developed by Damadian. |
|
8.
NASA is established by the U.S. Congress. |
|
9.
Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11) is the first person to walk on the moon. |
|
10.
Soviet Cosmonaut Gagarin is the first person to orbit the Earth. |
|
11.
Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, orbits the Earth. |
|
12.
First successful treatment of gene therapy is used to treat a
four-year-old girl suffering from an immune disease. |
|
13.
First |
|
14.
First working draft of the entire human genome is completed by the
Human Genome Project (final reference sequence published in 2003). |
|
15.
Genetically engineered FLAVRSAVR tomato is approved by the FDA. |
|
16.
Genetically engineered tobacco plants are field tested and approved by
the EPA. |
|
17.
Scottish scientists report the birth of the first cloned sheep –
Dolly. |
|
18.
|
|
19.
Egyptians use yeasts to make bread and wine. |
|
20.
Cells are first described. |
|
21.
The first heart stent is invented. |
|
22.
The discovery of Legionair’s Disease |
|
23.
The use of agent orange in |
|
24.
The discovery of the Bucky Balls |
|
25.
The first MRI performed on a human. |
|
IDEAS (Select One) |
|
1.
DNA structure is published by Watson and Crick. |
|
2.
Genetic engineering techniques to cut and paste DNA using restriction
enzymes and ligases are perfected by Cohen and
Boyer. |
|
3.
Invitro fertilization |
|
4.
Methods for reading DNA sequences using electrophoresis are
discovered. |
|
5.
Space travel |
|
6.
Genetically altered plants and animals |
|
7.
International effort to map all of the human genome is begun under the
name Human Genome Project. |
|
8.
Heredity |
|
9.
X-Rays and mutations |
|
10.
Prenatal testing for early signs of disease |
|
11.
Virus vs. Bacteria |
|
12.
Gene splicing |
|
13.
Theory of evolution |
|
14.
Gene-synthesizing machines |
|
15.
Transgenic plants |
|
16.
Genetically engineered drugs |
|
17.
DNA fingerprinting |
|
18.
Human gene therapy |
|
19.
Pollination |
|
20.
Microscopic uses |
|
21.
Fluid Power |
|
22.
Alternative Energy |
|
23.
Orthopedic implants and inflatable casts |
|
24.
Biofuels as alternative
energy. |
|
25.
Phytoremediation and harvesting of
toxins. |
|
26.
Aquaponics to feed the world |
Using the Internet, science reference books, or
encyclopedias, determine the year each idea, event, invention, or innovation occurred.
Where possible, identify the person or persons directly responsible and note
what significant contribution was made because of the milestone.
Cite all references used, including the URL
addresses for the information gathered from the Internet. Use Noodle Tools (http://www.noodletools.com/noodlebib/express.php)
To aid you in using the Internet, the following
websites may prove helpful. Your teacher may provide you with additional sites
that will be helpful for your quest.
· Access Excellence. (n.d.)
Biotech chronicles. Retrieved March 15, 2006 from http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/
· Biotechmedia. (n.d.) The history of
biotechnology. Retrieved March 15, 2006 from http://www.biotechmedia.com/events.html
· New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges. (n.d.) A short history of
biotechnology. Retrieved March 15, 2006 from http://biotech.nhctc.edu
Divide a standard 8.5 x 11 inch page into a top and
bottom section each of 8.5 x 5.5 inches.
In the top half, create a title (include appropriate year) and write a
concise paragraph on the impact of each milestone. Use the bottom section for
your reference citations.
After you complete your research, your teacher will
instruct you and your classmates on the procedure you will use to make the
scaled timeline.
When the completed timeline is prepared, determine
three personal milestone dates, and add them to the timeline.