American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their important work on microRNA. MicroRNAs are tiny but powerful molecules that help control how genes work in organisms, including humans. They are crucial for the growth and functioning of different parts of the body, showing us how complex life developed on Earth.

Even though all cells in our body have the same genetic information, they look and work differently. MicroRNAs are like gene regulators, deciding how genes work in different body tissues. Ambros and Ruvkun’s research has revealed a new way genes are controlled, which is very important for complex organisms like us humans.

MicroRNAs are key players in the evolution of complex life by managing gene activity. If microRNAs don’t work right, it can lead to health issues like cancer, hearing loss, or bone problems. The scientists studied a tiny worm called C. elegans to learn about microRNAs and found out how crucial they are for the worm’s growth, showing how important these small genetic parts are.

Ambros and Ruvkun’s work has opened doors for new research into treating diseases like epilepsy by understanding how microRNAs control genes. Their discoveries have given us a peek into the complicated ways cells work. By expanding our knowledge of gene control and its effects on health, these Nobel Prize winners have made a big impact on medical research and our understanding of human biology.

Original news source: Nobel Prize goes to microRNA researchers (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down vocabulary words related to the article on separate pieces of paper. One student from each team will come to the front and choose a piece of paper. Without speaking, they must act out the word for their team to guess within a time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, have students summarize the main points of the article in their own words. Encourage them to focus on the key information such as who won the Nobel Prize, what microRNAs are, and why they are important. After they have discussed, ask a few pairs to share their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write down statements related to the article on the board, such as “MicroRNAs are essential for human health” or “Research on gene control is crucial for medical advancements.” Have students move around the room and place stickers or marks under the statements to indicate if they agree or disagree. Afterward, facilitate a discussion based on the results.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper. One student comes to the front, picks a word, and draws it on the board while the rest of the class tries to guess the word. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary retention and understanding.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about and write down their answers to the following questions: “Why are microRNAs important for gene control?” and “How did Ambros and Ruvkun’s research impact medical research?” Then, have them pair up and discuss their answers. Finally, open up the discussion to the whole class for sharing and comparing ideas.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for?
2. How do microRNAs help control how genes work in organisms?
3. Why are microRNAs considered crucial for the growth and functioning of different body parts?
4. How did Ambros and Ruvkun’s research contribute to understanding how genes are controlled in complex organisms like humans?
5. What can happen if microRNAs don’t work correctly in the body?
6. What type of organism did the scientists study to learn about microRNAs?
7. How has the work of Ambros and Ruvkun paved the way for new research in treating diseases like epilepsy?
8. How have the discoveries of Ambros and Ruvkun impacted medical research and our understanding of human biology?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their important work on (1)______. MicroRNAs are tiny but (2)______ molecules that help control how (3)______ work in organisms, including (4)______. They are crucial for the growth and functioning of different parts of the body, showing us how complex life developed on Earth.

Even though all cells in our body have the same genetic information, they look and work differently. (5)______ are like gene regulators, deciding how genes work in different body tissues. Ambros and Ruvkun’s (6)______ has (7)______ a new way genes are (8)______, which is very important for complex organisms like us humans.

MicroRNAs are key players in the evolution of (9)______ life by managing gene activity. If microRNAs don’t work right, it can lead to health issues like cancer, hearing loss, or bone problems. The scientists studied a tiny worm called C. (10)______ to learn about microRNAs and (11)______ out how crucial they are for the worm’s growth, showing how important these (12)______ genetic parts are.

Ambros and Ruvkun’s work has opened doors for new research into treating diseases like epilepsy by (13)______ how microRNAs control genes. Their discoveries have given us a peek into the complicated ways cells work. By expanding our (14)______ of gene control and its effects on health, these Nobel (15)______ winners have made a big impact on medical research and our understanding of (16)______ biology.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is microRNA and why is it important for our bodies?
2. How do you think microRNAs help in the growth and functioning of different body parts?
3. Do you think studying tiny organisms like C. elegans is important for understanding how genes work in humans? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if microRNAs in your body were not working properly and causing health issues?
5. Do you think the research on microRNAs could lead to finding cures for diseases like cancer or epilepsy? Why or why not?
6. Why do you think Ambros and Ruvkun’s work on microRNAs is considered groundbreaking in the field of medicine?
7. What do you think would happen if we didn’t have microRNAs in our bodies at all?
8. How do you think understanding gene control can help in improving human health in the future?
9. Do you like the idea of scientists studying tiny organisms to learn more about human biology? Why or why not?
10. How do you think microRNAs contribute to the evolution of complex life on Earth?
11. Why do you think microRNAs are called “key players” in gene activity management?
12. What are some potential benefits of further research into microRNAs and gene control?
13. Do you think the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine is well-deserved for Ambros and Ruvkun? Why or why not?
14. How do you think our understanding of microRNAs can impact future medical treatments and technologies?
15. Why do you think it’s important for scientists to continue exploring the role of microRNAs in human biology?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. microRNA
2. molecules
3. organisms
4. genetic
5. regulators
6. tissues
7. evolution
8. cancer
9. epilepsy
10. discoveries
11. physiology
12. complex
13. crucial
14. functioning
15. research

Meanings:
(A) The way something works or operates
(B) Small particles that make up substances
(C) Living things, like plants, animals, or humans
(D) Tiny parts of cells that help control how genes work
(E) Very important or necessary
(F) The process of change in living things over time
(G) Related to genes or heredity
(H) The study of how living things work
(I) Groups of cells in the body that have a specific job
(J) Things that control or manage how something works
(K) A disease where cells grow uncontrollably
(L) A disorder that causes seizures
(M) Complicated or made of many parts
(N) New findings or things that are found out
(O) The act of studying something to learn more about it
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for?
(a) Inventing a new medical device
(b) Discovering a new planet
(c) Writing a popular science fiction book
(d) Their work on microRNA

2. What do microRNAs help control in organisms?
(a) How to cook a meal
(b) How genes work
(c) How to drive a car
(d) How to play a musical instrument

3. Why are microRNAs crucial for the growth and functioning of different body parts?
(a) They decide how genes work in different tissues
(b) They control the weather
(c) They determine your favorite color
(d) They make you taller

4. What happens if microRNAs don’t work correctly in the body?
(a) You become a superhero
(b) Health issues like cancer, hearing loss, or bone problems can occur
(c) You start speaking a new language
(d) You develop super strength

5. What did Ambros and Ruvkun study to learn more about microRNAs?
(a) A tiny worm called C. elegans
(b) A giant elephant
(c) A colorful parrot
(d) A fast cheetah

6. How have microRNAs impacted medical research?
(a) They have made people fly
(b) They have discovered a new planet
(c) They have opened doors for new research into treating diseases
(d) They have created a time machine

7. What have Ambros and Ruvkun’s discoveries given us a peek into?
(a) The best way to bake a cake
(b) The secrets of the universe
(c) The complicated ways cells work
(d) The history of dinosaurs

8. What has been the big impact of Ambros and Ruvkun’s work on medical research and human biology?
(a) Inventing a teleportation device
(b) Discovering a new species of fish
(c) Building a robot army
(d) Expanding our knowledge of gene control and its effects on health

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Ambros and Ruvkun’s discoveries have advanced our understanding of gene control and its impact on health.
2. MicroRNAs do not help control how genes work in organisms, including humans.
3. Ambros and Ruvkun lost the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on microRNA.
4. The scientists studied a tiny worm to understand the importance of microRNAs in growth.
5. All cells in our body have the same genetic information, but microRNAs decide how genes work in different tissues.
6. If microRNAs don’t work properly, it can lead to health issues like cancer, hearing loss, or bone problems.
7. Their research has hindered the way for new studies on treating diseases like epilepsy.
8. MicroRNAs are insignificant for the growth and functioning of different body parts.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on microRNA?
2. What are microRNAs and how do they help control how genes work in organisms?
3. Why are microRNAs important for the growth and functioning of different parts of the body?
4. How did Ambros and Ruvkun study microRNAs and their effects on a tiny worm called C. elegans?
5. What impact has the research on microRNAs had on medical research and our understanding of human biology?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What did Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for?
They won the Nobel Prize for their work on microRNA.

2. How do microRNAs help control how genes work in organisms?
MicroRNAs act like gene regulators, deciding how genes work in different body tissues.

3. Why are microRNAs considered crucial for the growth and functioning of different body parts?
MicroRNAs are crucial because they manage gene activity, which is essential for the growth and functioning of different body parts.

4. How did Ambros and Ruvkun’s research contribute to understanding how genes are controlled in complex organisms like humans?
Their research revealed a new way genes are controlled, showing how important microRNAs are for complex organisms like humans.

5. What can happen if microRNAs don’t work correctly in the body?
If microRNAs don’t work correctly, it can lead to health issues like cancer, hearing loss, or bone problems.

6. What type of organism did the scientists study to learn about microRNAs?
The scientists studied a tiny worm called C. elegans to learn about microRNAs.

7. How has the work of Ambros and Ruvkun paved the way for new research in treating diseases like epilepsy?
Their work has opened doors for new research into treating diseases like epilepsy by understanding how microRNAs control genes.

8. How have the discoveries of Ambros and Ruvkun impacted medical research and our understanding of human biology?
Their discoveries have expanded our knowledge of gene control and its effects on health, making a big impact on medical research and our understanding of human biology.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) microRNA
(2) powerful
(3) genes
(4) humans
(5) MicroRNAs
(6) research
(7) revealed
(8) controlled
(9) complex
(10) elegans
(11) found
(12) small
(13) understanding
(14) knowledge
(15) Prize
(16) human
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. microRNA
Answer: (D) Tiny parts of cells that help control how genes work

2. molecules
Answer: (B) Small particles that make up substances

3. organisms
Answer: (C) Living things, like plants, animals, or humans

4. genetic
Answer: (G) Related to genes or heredity

5. regulators
Answer: (J) Things that control or manage how something works

6. tissues
Answer: (I) Groups of cells in the body that have a specific job

7. evolution
Answer: (F) The process of change in living things over time

8. cancer
Answer: (K) A disease where cells grow uncontrollably

9. epilepsy
Answer: (L) A disorder that causes seizures

10. discoveries
Answer: (N) New findings or things that are found out

11. physiology
Answer: (H) The study of how living things work

12. complex
Answer: (M) Complicated or made of many parts

13. crucial
Answer: (E) Very important or necessary

14. functioning
Answer: (A) The way something works or operates

15. research
Answer: (O) The act of studying something to learn more about it
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for?
Answer: (d) Their work on microRNA

2. What do microRNAs help control in organisms?
Answer: (b) How genes work

3. Why are microRNAs crucial for the growth and functioning of different body parts?
Answer: (a) They decide how genes work in different tissues

4. What happens if microRNAs don’t work correctly in the body?
Answer: (b) Health issues like cancer, hearing loss, or bone problems can occur

5. What did Ambros and Ruvkun study to learn more about microRNAs?
Answer: (a) A tiny worm called C. elegans

6. How have microRNAs impacted medical research?
Answer: (c) They have opened doors for new research into treating diseases

7. What have Ambros and Ruvkun’s discoveries given us a peek into?
Answer: (c) The complicated ways cells work

8. What has been the big impact of Ambros and Ruvkun’s work on medical research and human biology?
Answer: (d) Expanding our knowledge of gene control and its effects on health
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Ambros and Ruvkun’s discoveries have advanced our understanding of gene control and its impact on health. (Answer: True)
2. MicroRNAs do not help control how genes work in organisms, including humans. (Answer: False)
3. Ambros and Ruvkun lost the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on microRNA. (Answer: False)
4. The scientists studied a tiny worm to understand the importance of microRNAs in growth. (Answer: True)
5. All cells in our body have the same genetic information, but microRNAs decide how genes work in different tissues. (Answer: True)
6. If microRNAs don’t work properly, it can lead to health issues like cancer, hearing loss, or bone problems. (Answer: True)
7. Their research has hindered the way for new studies on treating diseases like epilepsy. (Answer: False)
8. MicroRNAs are insignificant for the growth and functioning of different body parts. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧