iTune-SW

Name _________________________

iTune Device Worksheet

1. IDENTIFY, in your own words, the main purpose of this experiment.

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2. DEFINE, in your own words, what is meant by modularity and insulation in terms of synthetic
systems.
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3. DESCRIBE, in your own words, how the Lac Operon works. How has it been modified in this
experiment? DRAW a sketch of it in the space provided.

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4. Which of the following promoter/RBS gene regulatory designs do you PREDICT will show the
greatest β-gal activity? Circle your choice, then provide an explanation for your choice.
(Note: Your predictions don’t have to be RIGHT, but your EXPLANATIONS need to make
sense):

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iTune-SW

5. The DATA TABLE below will help you to organize the data you collect for each strain in this
experiment. Attach any pictures or sketches as evidence. Did your recorded results match
your predictions?

Strain Promoter RBS β-gal Activity in Miller units Class Mean

Reference Promoter Reference RBS
2-R

2-1 weak weak

2-2 weak medium

2-3 weak strong

2-4 medium weak

2-5 medium medium

2-6 medium strong

2-7 strong weak

2-8 strong medium

2-9 strong strong

6. Based on the results from your experiment, answer the following experimental question with
supporting evidence:

“Which combination of promoter and RBS results in the greatest production of β-

galactosidase?”

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