Quick Answer:The Turning Genes On and Off Lab Investigation uses a commonly found microbe to show how temperature controls gene expression, which students see as red pigment in the bacterial colonies.
Last updated: 18 October 2026
Key Features
Explores how genes respond to their environment.
Students investigate and predict the effect of temperature on gene regulation and expression.
Expression of the gene is seen as a red pigment in the bacterial colonies.
Students can design their own experiments to find other variables that affect gene expression.
How It Is Used
Students grow the microbe at different temperatures and compare how red the colonies become, which shows when the pigment gene is switched on or off. They then plan their own tests of other variables that might affect gene expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can students tell if the gene is switched on in the Turning Genes On and Off Lab Investigation?
Expression of the gene produces a pigment that turns the bacterial colonies red.
