Abstract
The board game ACAGATATA simulates how randomness originates biodiversity. An individual (genotype ACAGATATA) produces offspring with a chance of error during DNA replication (mutation) at each generation, showing that random changes in ancestral genotypes may reflect on descendant phenotypes. The game has three steps: (1) construction of a dichotomous diagram by submission of the parental DNA to successive copies in which the chance of mutation is dictated by special roulettes. After three generations, up to eight different DNA sequences could appear; (2) attribution of amino acids series to the eight nucleotide sequences in the third generation, following the genetic code; and (3) analysis of traits in these individuals and scoring of outcomes. To measure ACAGATATA’s effect on learning, undergraduate students answered true-or-false questions before and after the game. In the tests, global scores after ACAGATATA were higher than before. Performance increased significantly in ten questions. Questions without direct connection to the game exhibited no significant change in performance. Satisfaction with the game was confirmed by high values in two questions asking the students about the contribution of ACAGATATA to their knowledge on the role of mutation in evolution. ACAGATATA is suitable for biology courses concerning genetic information, its expression and molecular evolution, allowing an increase in student performance on these issues. Low cost justifies the adoption of ACAGATATA even by teachers with restricted resources.
Highlights
The board game ACAGATATA simulates how randomness originates biodiversity
Based on concepts of molecular biology and phylogenetic systematics, this paper presents the “Mutation Game” called ACAGATATA
How to play ACAGATATA To play ACAGATATA, students should be aware of basic concepts of genetics and molecular evolution -for a review, see textbooks by Lehninger et al (2008) and Lewin (2007)
Summary
The board game ACAGATATA simulates how randomness originates biodiversity. An individual (genotype ACAGATATA) produces offspring with a chance of error during DNA replication (mutation) at each generation, showing that random changes in ancestral genotypes may reflect on descendant phenotypes. Darwin and Wallace (1858) and Darwin (1859) suggested that the primary force of evolution is natural selection of preexistent varieties. Morgan (1925, 1932) explained the roles of mutation and natural selection in shaping organismal evolution, based on Mendelian genetics (Nei 2005). In his view, advantageous mutations would persist while deleterious mutations would not. Following Morgan’s work, molecular studies indicated the importance of random mutation in the evolutionary change of DNA
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