At the beginning of this unit, we did a lab to analyze DNA from strawberries and salmon sperm. This helped us learn the procedures used in biotech. We then used what we had learned to gather evidence about the murder of Carelton Comet, and decide which one of the suspects committed the murder. After we decided who was guilty, we made a presentation to convince the judges of their guilt, in order to get a warrant. The presentation can be seen below.
Concepts Used:
Molarity Equation: Molarity is the amount of a solid dissolved in a liquid: basically, the concentration of a solution. The equation is V(M)FW= amount of solid needed. The FW stands for formula weight, and can be found on the bottle of whatever solid you are adding. The amount is in grams
Dilution Calculator: The dilution calculator is a handy way to find how much of a stock solution to add, in order to get a solution of any concentration. The equation is C1V1=C2V2. The C represents the concentration of the respective equation. For example, if you wanted to make 2mL of a solution that has 2mg/mL, and you have a solution with 4mg/mL, you can use the dilution calculator to determine the you need 1mL of the first solution, combined with 1mL of water, to make the second solution.
Gel Electrophoresis: Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to determine and compare the length of strands of DNA. It takes advantage of the fact that DNA has a negative charge, and will thus be attracted to a positive charge. Gel electrophoresis uses an agarose gel that can be of a concentration of about 0.8% to about 3%. You isolate the DNA, then insert it into a gel well in the agarose gel, then cover the gel in a TE buffer. After this, you connect the far side of the gel to a positive current, and the DNA gradually moves across the gel towards it. Smaller lengths of DNA will meet less resistance in the gel, and will move faster, and therefore farther. After about 20 minutes, you can take out the gel, and compare the distances the DNA has traveled to know which one is longer.
Blood Type Analysis: This method is used to determine whether a sample of blood is type A, B, AB, or O. To do this, you place ten drops of the blood together with two drops of antigen A. If the blood clots, it means that it is either type A, or AB. You can then test further by combining another ten drops with two drops of antigen b. If it clots this time, it is AB. If the blood clots for only B, it is type B, and if it clots with neither, it is O.
Karyotyping: Karyotyping is the process of examining a person's chromosomes, to determine if they have chromosome disorders. First, a picture of the cell during mitosis (when the DNA is in chromosomes) is obtained. Then, the chromosomes are cut out of the picture, and arranged in order, where they can then be examined to see if there are any extra or missing chromosomes.
Ink Chromatography: Ink chromatography can be used to match a note to the pen that wrote it. First, the pen is used to make a dot about two centimeters above the bottom of a piece of chromatography paper. Then, the paper is put in a container, and rubbing alcohol is put in, until the level of the alcohol is about a half centimeter from the dot. The alcohol then travels up the paper, and brings the ink from the dot along with it, spreading the ink to show different colors. Eventually, the ink will stop moving with the alcohol, and can then be compared to other samples by it's color, size, and distance traveled.
Molarity Equation: Molarity is the amount of a solid dissolved in a liquid: basically, the concentration of a solution. The equation is V(M)FW= amount of solid needed. The FW stands for formula weight, and can be found on the bottle of whatever solid you are adding. The amount is in grams
Dilution Calculator: The dilution calculator is a handy way to find how much of a stock solution to add, in order to get a solution of any concentration. The equation is C1V1=C2V2. The C represents the concentration of the respective equation. For example, if you wanted to make 2mL of a solution that has 2mg/mL, and you have a solution with 4mg/mL, you can use the dilution calculator to determine the you need 1mL of the first solution, combined with 1mL of water, to make the second solution.
Gel Electrophoresis: Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to determine and compare the length of strands of DNA. It takes advantage of the fact that DNA has a negative charge, and will thus be attracted to a positive charge. Gel electrophoresis uses an agarose gel that can be of a concentration of about 0.8% to about 3%. You isolate the DNA, then insert it into a gel well in the agarose gel, then cover the gel in a TE buffer. After this, you connect the far side of the gel to a positive current, and the DNA gradually moves across the gel towards it. Smaller lengths of DNA will meet less resistance in the gel, and will move faster, and therefore farther. After about 20 minutes, you can take out the gel, and compare the distances the DNA has traveled to know which one is longer.
Blood Type Analysis: This method is used to determine whether a sample of blood is type A, B, AB, or O. To do this, you place ten drops of the blood together with two drops of antigen A. If the blood clots, it means that it is either type A, or AB. You can then test further by combining another ten drops with two drops of antigen b. If it clots this time, it is AB. If the blood clots for only B, it is type B, and if it clots with neither, it is O.
Karyotyping: Karyotyping is the process of examining a person's chromosomes, to determine if they have chromosome disorders. First, a picture of the cell during mitosis (when the DNA is in chromosomes) is obtained. Then, the chromosomes are cut out of the picture, and arranged in order, where they can then be examined to see if there are any extra or missing chromosomes.
Ink Chromatography: Ink chromatography can be used to match a note to the pen that wrote it. First, the pen is used to make a dot about two centimeters above the bottom of a piece of chromatography paper. Then, the paper is put in a container, and rubbing alcohol is put in, until the level of the alcohol is about a half centimeter from the dot. The alcohol then travels up the paper, and brings the ink from the dot along with it, spreading the ink to show different colors. Eventually, the ink will stop moving with the alcohol, and can then be compared to other samples by it's color, size, and distance traveled.
Reflection:
In this project, I did a few things well. One thing was my explanations. When we created our slides, we had to explain what we did, and what the results were, to the judges. I was able to make very informative, long explanations, in a relatively quick manner. A second thing I did well was the pictures. I previously had not been very good at finding good pictures that related to the slide, but I improved in this unit. One thing I didn't do well was paying attention. I got distracted multiple times, mostly by my other group mates. A final thing I didn't do well was keeping things short. I had problems not making the presentation a wall of text. In the future, I need to understand what information can be left out, and what truly matters.
In this project, I did a few things well. One thing was my explanations. When we created our slides, we had to explain what we did, and what the results were, to the judges. I was able to make very informative, long explanations, in a relatively quick manner. A second thing I did well was the pictures. I previously had not been very good at finding good pictures that related to the slide, but I improved in this unit. One thing I didn't do well was paying attention. I got distracted multiple times, mostly by my other group mates. A final thing I didn't do well was keeping things short. I had problems not making the presentation a wall of text. In the future, I need to understand what information can be left out, and what truly matters.