title: Using analogy role-play activity in an undergraduate biology classroom to show central dogma revision.
abstract: For the study of biology in an undergraduate classroom, a classroom exercise was developed: an analogy role-play to learn mechanisms of gene transcription and protein translation (central dogma). To develop the central dogma role-play exercise, we made DNA and mRNA using paper sheets, tRNA using a wire dress hanger, and amino acids using Lego® blocks (Lego System A/S, Denmark). Students were studying in the course of mathematics, physics, or chemistry, so biology was not among their usual studies. In this exercise, students perform the central dogma role-play and respectively act out nuclear matrix proteins, a transcription factor, an RNA polymerase II, an mRNA transport protein, nuclear pore proteins, a large ribosomal subunit, a small ribosomal subunit, and several amino-acyl tRNA synthetases. Questionnaire results obtained after the activity show that this central dogma role-play analogy holds student interest in the practical molecular biological processes of transcription and translation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology Education, Graduate School of Mathematics and Science Education, Tokyo University of Science (RIKADAI), Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takemura
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurabayashi
mesh_terms: D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D001695:Biology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D012319:RNA Polymerase II
keywords: analogy role play; central dogma; undergraduate