Tuesday, November 23, 2010

DNA fingerprinting

Create a DNA Fingerprint ( http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sheppard/analyze.html )

Introduction:

1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what?
The only exception is if you have an identical twin, because then you would come from the same set of x and y chromosomes because they come from the same egg.


2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?
They are used for solving crime. They are also used for human identification of an unidentified person, and uncovering genetic diseases.


Part 1 “It Takes a Lickin”

3. What “crime” was committed?
They opened his lollipop and licked it. His prized possession was the lollypop, and the criminal licked away some of his lollipop.


4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?
They took saliva to get DNA. Saliva contains cells that can be identified using DNA. Mouth cells shed a lot so there are many DNA strands to look at.




Part 2 “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”

5. What does a restriction enzyme do?
Resrtiction enzymes work like scissors, cutting molecules at different locations.


6. What is agarose gel?
Aragose gel us a thick, porous, jello like substance that acts as a mleular strainer. It allows smaller pieces of DNA to move through easily.


7. What is electrophoresis?
Electrophoresis is the process of moving molecules with an electric current. DNA fragments have a negative charge so they move to the tray's positive end. Because the gel acts like a strainer, the fragments are organized by size.


8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands?
More easily and farther.


9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?
You need to place a nylon membrane over the gel because the gel is hard to work with, so the DNA is transferred to the nylon membrane. It is sucked up into the membrane from the gel by an absorbent material placed over the membrane.


10. Probes attach themselves to __________
The DNA fragments on the nylon membranes.

11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive?
The probes are radioactive.

12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.



13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?
Honey licked the lollipop!!!!




Click on the Link “DNA Workshop” (if this link won't load, scroll down to the bottom where it says "try the non-java script version)
Once you’re there, go to the link “DNA Workshop Activity” and practice with DNA replication and protein synthesis.

Browse the DNA Workshop site.


14. What kinds of things could you do at the DNA workshop?
You could put DNA through the replication process or put protiens through synths. You could also just explore the cell further.



Find an Article about DNA

Go to http://www.thegenesite.com/

15. Read an article about genetics at this site that you might find interesting, or use the "Search" box in the upper right hand corner to search for DNA fingerprinting.

Title of Article: DNA Uncovers New, Rare Parrot Author and Date: The University of Adeleide
24 November 2010

Summarize what the article was about. Write this in a paragraph format.
This article is about a rare parrot that was found in Australia due to DNA. The endangered ground parrot is was found because of conservation genetics. The DNA allowed scientists to classify and determine the type of parrot and find out that it was endangered. 

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