Spider-Man

By: Toni Pantesco, Matthew Powell, and Walker

Rouse
Evolutionary History and Genetics
He was made with recombinant DNA as an embryo meaning he was artificially made. Spiderman did
not inherit his abilities instead he was given them by scientists. However, he does have the ability to
give his new genes to his offspring. Since he was given the recombinant DNA as an embryo every
gamete he produces by meiosis will contain the modified DNA and will result in offspring with the
same abilities as him.
Relevance In Ecosystem
Spider-Man is in a different spot within the food web than most humans who only eat plants and other animals.

Spider-Man eats insects and other spiders just like the spider he got his genes from, giving him more options for
food and gives another predator to these insects and spiders. He adds more competition to the environment.

This concept puts him in a specific niche that maintains the number of insects in the ecosystem and makes him
different than ordinary humans in this way.

He also has increased respiration (which will be explained later on) that gives him a more prominent role in the
carbon cycle.
Modifications to Anatomical Structure or Physiology
● All 6 of these modifications are obtained through Recombinant DNA which will be explained
later on.

● Spider-Man can shoot webs from the palm of his hand. This is where his silk sacks as well as
where the silk is formed. The function of these sacks are to hold the silk.

● His spidey senses come from the hairs on his arms and legs. When danger is near these hairs
stand up and he enters a state of alertness.
Modifications to Anatomical Structure or Physiology
● Spider-Man has very tiny and sticky hairs on his hands and feet that help him climb up and
down obstacles like walls or even hang upside down.

● A Bold Jumping Spider can lift approximately 170 times its own weight putting this into
Spider-Man's genes he is now able to lift 170 times his own weight making him super strong.
Modifications to Anatomical Structure or Physiology
● With Spider-Man’s stronger legs he is able to move faster and push off the ground faster. These
stronger body parts allow him to have better agility. In addition to getting the spider gene, his
muscles in his legs perform mitosis at a quicker rate than an average human. His cells also
perform respiration quicker and more efficiently, providing him with more ATP.

● Spider-Man eats insects and other spiders.This set him apart from other humans as his
digestive system is made in order to compensate with the different choice in food then other
humans. This digestive system helps him break down the different nutrients and material from
insects.
Classification
Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Mammalia

Order - Primates

Family - Hominidae

Genus - Homo

Species - Sapiens
Vulnerability to Microorganisms or Parasites
Spiders have resistance to gastrointestinal parasites. Their venom is even used to give resistance to
other animals. Our Spider-Man will be resistant to gastrointestinal parasites.
Problems and Challenges for Spider-Man
Catwoman is big problem for Spider-Man

She likes to:

● Try to destroy him

● Cuts up his webs
● Activate his spidey senses
● Eat all of his food
 Biotechnology
➔ Recombinant DNA technology was used by inserting first the Phidippus audax DNA into
bacterial plasmids, and then by inserting the plasmids into the human embryo.
◆ The Scientists used the following donor genes from the Phidippus audax to be inserted:
● Web Production gene
● Hair sensory gene (vibrations through hairs)
● Super Strength gene
● Jumping gene
● Gastrointestinal parasite resistance gene
◆ The 5 target genes were cut out of the Phidippus audax genome using restriction
enzymes (that also cut the 5 plasmids). Each target gene was then inserted into the
plasmid that matched restriction enzymes using the sticky ends of both pieces of DNA.
Cellular Modifications
➔ Spider-Man’s cellular DNA consists of Phidippus audax DNA, including the 5 genes transferred
over using the recombinant DNA technology. The genes would then be transcribed for protein
production, then leading him to have the traits given by the Phidippus audax. Since Spider-Man
was given the recombinant Phidippus audax DNA as an embryo, every cell in his body will have
the Phidippus audax genes in it due to mitosis and replication.
Work Cited
“Daring Jumping Spider Facts & Information: Huge Jumping Spiders.” Orkin.com,

www.orkin.com/other/spiders/daring-jumping-spiders/.

Jacobs, Steve. “Bold Jumper Spider (Department of Entomology).” Department of Entomology (Penn State University), Mar. 2002,

ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/bold-jumper.

Koreis, Darius. “Taking the Bite out of Sheep Parasites with Spider Venom.” CSIROscope, 10 Aug. 2017,

blog.csiro.au/sheep-parasites-spider-venom/.

“Life Science: Session 2.” Annenberg Learner, www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/session2/closer4.html.

Walker, Cameron. “Spider-Man vs. True Spider Superpowers.” National Geographic, National Geographic Society, 30 June 2004,

news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0623_040623_tvspiders.html.