Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching (ABLE Proceedings)

Title:

Pazmo Bugs: An Old-fashion Paper Simulation for a Modern Genetics Lab

Url:

http://www.ableweb.org/volumes/vol-37/v37reprint.php?ch=17

Author:

Daphne Schatzberg
Dale Pasino

Author's Address:

Boston University, Biology, MA

Email Address:

dpasino@bu.edu

Description: Inspired by fruit flies, this original simulation has been used successfully in biology labs for nearly 25 years to help
teach and illustrate a variety of concepts related to genetics. The simulation simultaneously tracks genotype and
phenotype of 12 Mendelian traits through successive generations. The simulation consists of two phases: (1) data
collection and (2) data analysis. During data collection, working in small groups, each student generates a unique
population of pazmo bugs through mating; genotype, phenotype, and parents are known for each individual of the
population. Data can be easily analyzed at four different population levels - individual student populations, small
group populations, lab section populations, and/or entire course population. Concepts routinely illustrated using the
mating procedure and through data analysis include meiosis and gamete formation, independent assortment, effects
of population size and inbreeding on allele frequencies, natural selection, and pedigrees. The simulation is adaptable
and can be modified slightly to illustrate other concepts as well. This simulation is an effective teaching tool. It is
interactive, involves multiple modalities, allows students to get results in real time, and gives students an
opportunity to work with a large data set. Further, students can "see" how the processes work. Because of its
simplicity and breadth, this simulation is generally the first thing done in the genetics portion of our
lab. Afterwards, it serves as a point of reference or foundation for introducing additional or more advanced concepts.

Keywords:

genetics simulation
pazmo bugs

Topic:

Genetics

BEN Subject/Discipline Taxonomy:

Genetics & Heredity

Learning Resource Type:

Laboratory exercise (DCMI Type Vocabulary)

Context:

Undergraduate lower division 13-14
Undergraduate upper division 15-16

Format:

pdf