PCR & Gel Electrophoresis Lab
Description:
In this lab, we used PCR and gel electrophoresis to learn about alu repeats in our DNA. We collected cheek cells from our saliva and used lab PCR procedures to amplify our DNA. During the PCR process we heated, cooled, and added many chemicals to our samples. We dyed and deposited our samples into agarose gel (image top right). The gel had electrodes that made the DNA move across the gel. We then used an ultraviolet light to see the alu bands in our samples(bottom right). The amount of bands that the gel showed can show us what allele we each carry, "+/+", "-/-", or "+,-". |
Concepts:
PCR or polymerase chain reaction is a biology technique that allows genes to be analyzed. The process involves heating, cooling, and adding different chemicals to amplify a specific sections of DNA. We followed PCR techniques to amplify the section of DNA that has alu inserts. Gel electrophoresis is a biology method that uses molded agarose gel and electrodes to move molecules through an electric field. This can be used to create bands of DNA. We uses this method with our own DNA samples to discover which allele we carry.
Alu repeat(insertion) is a short stretch of DNA that can be present in one, both, or neither of a person’s number 16 chromosomes. If a person does not carry the insert atall, they have a “-/-” allele. If they carry it in one chromosome, they are “+/-”, and if they carry the repeat in both they have a “+/+” allele. People with results from the lab were able to see which allele they carried based on the amount and placement of bands in the agarose gel.
Allele frequency is the amount of people with given types of a alleles in a population. Allele frequencies show what percentage of people have each type of allele. We were able to gage the allele frequency if the different alu insert combinations by counting the different results. (We practiced this using a fake class, as there were few people that got results)
We used mathematics in order to the percentages of people with a given allele when we were finding the allele frequencies of a class.
Reflection:
During this lab, we became more comfortable with using lab equipment like pipets, tubes, centrifuges, and heating blocks. I think becoming more capable in this field was very positive for me. In addition we were able to use our groups to our avantage. It was very helpful to do this lab with peers so we could help each other with more challenging procedures, and make sure ewe were al on task understanding what we were doing.
There were also challenges with doing the lab. First of all, my sample, and many of my classmates' did not produce results. I think that this is due to the large ammount of variables in the lab that were hard for us to control. For example, keeping DNA samples very cold is very important during a stage in the PCR procedure. I think it is very possible that we were not able to keep our samples cold enough. Also, there were many times throughout the lab that we used centrifuges to spin our tubes. The time that the tubes were on the centrifuges could be very time sensitive, and we might have spun them for too long or too short of a time. Overall, I was more inexperienced during this lab, but now that I have become more accustomed to biology procedures and equipment I am more confident and skilled than I was in my techniques.
PCR or polymerase chain reaction is a biology technique that allows genes to be analyzed. The process involves heating, cooling, and adding different chemicals to amplify a specific sections of DNA. We followed PCR techniques to amplify the section of DNA that has alu inserts. Gel electrophoresis is a biology method that uses molded agarose gel and electrodes to move molecules through an electric field. This can be used to create bands of DNA. We uses this method with our own DNA samples to discover which allele we carry.
Alu repeat(insertion) is a short stretch of DNA that can be present in one, both, or neither of a person’s number 16 chromosomes. If a person does not carry the insert atall, they have a “-/-” allele. If they carry it in one chromosome, they are “+/-”, and if they carry the repeat in both they have a “+/+” allele. People with results from the lab were able to see which allele they carried based on the amount and placement of bands in the agarose gel.
Allele frequency is the amount of people with given types of a alleles in a population. Allele frequencies show what percentage of people have each type of allele. We were able to gage the allele frequency if the different alu insert combinations by counting the different results. (We practiced this using a fake class, as there were few people that got results)
We used mathematics in order to the percentages of people with a given allele when we were finding the allele frequencies of a class.
Reflection:
During this lab, we became more comfortable with using lab equipment like pipets, tubes, centrifuges, and heating blocks. I think becoming more capable in this field was very positive for me. In addition we were able to use our groups to our avantage. It was very helpful to do this lab with peers so we could help each other with more challenging procedures, and make sure ewe were al on task understanding what we were doing.
There were also challenges with doing the lab. First of all, my sample, and many of my classmates' did not produce results. I think that this is due to the large ammount of variables in the lab that were hard for us to control. For example, keeping DNA samples very cold is very important during a stage in the PCR procedure. I think it is very possible that we were not able to keep our samples cold enough. Also, there were many times throughout the lab that we used centrifuges to spin our tubes. The time that the tubes were on the centrifuges could be very time sensitive, and we might have spun them for too long or too short of a time. Overall, I was more inexperienced during this lab, but now that I have become more accustomed to biology procedures and equipment I am more confident and skilled than I was in my techniques.
Cladogram
Description:
During this project we learned about cladograms. Cladograms are a type of graphic organizer that is used in the biology to show speciation. We were given a set of random hardware that we then organized into our own cladogram. We made groups based on hardware that had similar traits and then further divided these groups. In the and we had a large diagram that showed all of our different “species" and The traits that divided them from each other. Once we had the cladogram, we created a story about how the species evolved. Our story included natural selection and mutations that occurred to make one species different from another.
During this project we learned about cladograms. Cladograms are a type of graphic organizer that is used in the biology to show speciation. We were given a set of random hardware that we then organized into our own cladogram. We made groups based on hardware that had similar traits and then further divided these groups. In the and we had a large diagram that showed all of our different “species" and The traits that divided them from each other. Once we had the cladogram, we created a story about how the species evolved. Our story included natural selection and mutations that occurred to make one species different from another.
Concepts:
Evolution is the process in which a species develops due to its environment. Over time, traits in an organism change in order to help the species survive. Our cladograms showed the way our hardware "evolved".
A mutation is a random change in DNA that changes a characteristic of an organism. Mutations can be negative, positive, or neutral. Mutations that benefit the organism are more likely to be passed on to future generations. In our story, we created mutations that helped a species survive.
Natural selection is the process in which the organisms that are more fit to survive live and pass on their traits, while those who are unfit for their environment die. This goes along with "survival of the fittest". In our evolution story, the organisms with helpful traits are able to survive.
Speciation is the way new species are created. This can occur from allopatric speciation-where a species is divided by a physical barrier and develops separately, or by sympatric speciation in which differences in behavior cause the divide.
Evolution is the process in which a species develops due to its environment. Over time, traits in an organism change in order to help the species survive. Our cladograms showed the way our hardware "evolved".
A mutation is a random change in DNA that changes a characteristic of an organism. Mutations can be negative, positive, or neutral. Mutations that benefit the organism are more likely to be passed on to future generations. In our story, we created mutations that helped a species survive.
Natural selection is the process in which the organisms that are more fit to survive live and pass on their traits, while those who are unfit for their environment die. This goes along with "survival of the fittest". In our evolution story, the organisms with helpful traits are able to survive.
Speciation is the way new species are created. This can occur from allopatric speciation-where a species is divided by a physical barrier and develops separately, or by sympatric speciation in which differences in behavior cause the divide.
Reflection:
When we were doing this projector group worked well together and wit was very positive environment. I was also proud of our cladogram. I put a lot of effort into figuring out how what traits the pieces had in common, and then figuring out how to organize that into a diagram that was specific and made sense as you looked at it. I have more apppreciation for cladograms as it if harder to fit all of the pieces together than I previously thought.
Toward the end of the project though, there was more of a problem with time management. This cause some issues in two areas: the evolution story, and practicing our presentation. Our story turned out well, but it was more of a challenge because we did a portion of it at our homes, so it was harder to collaborate. With, the cladogram and the story to do, our group did not have as much time to practice our presentation as we had hoped for. Overall this was a fun, but also challenging project. I learned about cladograms and expanded my knowledge of evolution.
When we were doing this projector group worked well together and wit was very positive environment. I was also proud of our cladogram. I put a lot of effort into figuring out how what traits the pieces had in common, and then figuring out how to organize that into a diagram that was specific and made sense as you looked at it. I have more apppreciation for cladograms as it if harder to fit all of the pieces together than I previously thought.
Toward the end of the project though, there was more of a problem with time management. This cause some issues in two areas: the evolution story, and practicing our presentation. Our story turned out well, but it was more of a challenge because we did a portion of it at our homes, so it was harder to collaborate. With, the cladogram and the story to do, our group did not have as much time to practice our presentation as we had hoped for. Overall this was a fun, but also challenging project. I learned about cladograms and expanded my knowledge of evolution.
Timeline
Description:
In this project, we looked at specific examples of evolution. Me and my partner chose the history of a Rhino. We first spent time researching. We needed to find five ancestors of our species and learn about their characteristics. We were allowed to show this timeline in any creative format. Me and my partner chose to make a fairytale story book. We made a story line and integrated all of the ancestors in a fun way. We defined traits in the book that showed how the ancestors differed for today's current species, and drew the organisms. |
|
Concepts:
Evolution is the process in which a species develops due to its environment. Over time, traits in an organism change in order to help the species survive. Our fairytale shows evolution with all of the ancestors. Their traits all refine to fit the environment until we are left with a current species.
Natural selection is the process in which the organisms that are more fit to survive live and pass on their traits, while those who are unfit for their environment die. This goes along with "survival of the fittest". In our evolution story, the organisms with helpful traits are able to survive.
Adaptations are specific traits that benefit and organism in survival so they are passed on. Rhinoceros horns are an adaptation because they can help rhinos to protect themselves.
Evolution is the process in which a species develops due to its environment. Over time, traits in an organism change in order to help the species survive. Our fairytale shows evolution with all of the ancestors. Their traits all refine to fit the environment until we are left with a current species.
Natural selection is the process in which the organisms that are more fit to survive live and pass on their traits, while those who are unfit for their environment die. This goes along with "survival of the fittest". In our evolution story, the organisms with helpful traits are able to survive.
Adaptations are specific traits that benefit and organism in survival so they are passed on. Rhinoceros horns are an adaptation because they can help rhinos to protect themselves.
Reflections:
I enjoyed this project because we were able to express creativity. I am proud of the idea to make a story book. I also thought this project was very inclusive as we were able to bring is element of art and drawing.
To improve our project, I would have added color to out book. One challenge I faced was trying to insert facts and information into the story without making it too long or ruining the fairytale format. If I did this project again, I would put information suck as the time period it lived, size, and other characteristics on the back of each page. This was a fun, creative, and flexible project that we could take in our own directions, and broadened my knowledge of evolution.
I enjoyed this project because we were able to express creativity. I am proud of the idea to make a story book. I also thought this project was very inclusive as we were able to bring is element of art and drawing.
To improve our project, I would have added color to out book. One challenge I faced was trying to insert facts and information into the story without making it too long or ruining the fairytale format. If I did this project again, I would put information suck as the time period it lived, size, and other characteristics on the back of each page. This was a fun, creative, and flexible project that we could take in our own directions, and broadened my knowledge of evolution.