I love using the advanced classroom activities
developed to accompany the Natural Selection
and Adaptation short film on the evolution
of the rock pocket mouse.
The first activity engages my students in
transcribing and translating a portion of
the MC1R gene to identify the mutations that
cause the coat-color change in the mouse.
In the second activity, students analyze the
amino acid sequences from the first activity
and hypothesize how changes in the structure
of the MC1R protein, which is a G-protein
linked receptor, can lead to changes in its
function in a cell communication pathway.
The third activity has the students analyze
amino acid data from different rock pocket
mouse populations, 
showing that different mutations in different genes
can lead to the same phenotypic change.
I use the film and activities in both my AP biology
and my dual credit college biology classes
after I have covered biochemistry, cell communication,
and molecular genetics. I use it as a “tying it all
together” experience. It’s a great opportunity
for the kids to revisit material in my class
and engage them in making curriculum connections.
