Activity © Snapshot Science, 2010 How was the first man-made cell created? Step1: The scientists choose a bacteria that has one chromosome made up of many genes. Copy this diagram of the bacteria and label the chromosome and genes. What are genes made of?
Activity © Snapshot Science, 2010 How was the first man-made cell created? Step2: They then used a computer to decode the genes and work out the order of bases in the DNA strand. Copy and complete this part of DNA to show the missing bases. ATGACCGT A CA T
Activity © Snapshot Science, 2010 How was the first man-made cell created? Step 3: Using the code, they then used man-made bases to create the chromosome. They put in some extra pieces of DNA to prove that they had created the chromosome. These bases were in a special order to create a code that spelt out the scientists’ names plus an address that you can if you crack the code!
Activity © Snapshot Science, 2010 How was the first man-made cell created? Step 4: People say that the headlines saying that a man-made cell are misleading. Explain why. They took the chromosome out of another bacteria cell. And replaced it with their man-made chromosome.
Activity © Snapshot Science, 2010 How was the first man-made cell created? Step 5: The new cell was left to reproduce. It did reproduce. What does this prove about the cell? How could the scientists prove that the new cells contain their man-made DNA?