WHAT IS CLONING?
1. Who is Dolly?
The first mammal to be cloned from a mature somatic cell,
2. When a zygote divides into to separate cells, it is called:
A fertilized egg.
3. Somatic cells are also called:
Any type of cell in the body, minus the germ cells (sperm and egg).
4. In order to clone a gene, a gene is inserted into a
An egg cell that had its nucleus removed.
5. In order to create an embryo from a somatic cell, the donor egg cell must have its ___________________ removed.
Nucleus.
CLICK AND CLONE
6. List all the materials needed to clone a mouse.
a.) The organism you will be cloning
b.) An egg cell donor (it seems to be preferable that it's from the same species)
c.) A surrogate mother
d.) Microscope
e.) Petri dish
f.) Sharp pipette
g.) Blunt pipette
h.) Chemical to stimulate cell division
7. Place the following steps in the correct order.
4 Stimulate cell division
6 Deliver baby
2 Remove and discard the nucleus from the egg cell
1 Isolate donor cells from egg donor and germ cell donor
3 Transfer the somatic cell nucleus into the egg cell
5 Implant embryo into a surrogate mother
8. There are two time gaps in the process of cloning. What are they? (ie. what do you have to wait for?)
a.) During the transfer of the somatic nucleus and time is needed so the cell from the donor and the nucleus from the somatic cell can adapt to each other.
b.) After adding the stimulant, the cell must take time to divide a minimal of 16 times and then creating a ball/morula.
9. What color would the cloned mouse be? _____________ What is the name of this mouse? _____________________
a.) Brown.
b.) Mini-Mimi
WHY CLONE?
10. Why is cloning extinct animals problematic?
How are they going to survive? Scientists used to think of cloning a wolly mammoth because they had found the body of one preserved in ice, but how were they going keep it alive? If they were to release into the wild (stupid idea, if they would), how would the mammoth affect the environment, if it could even survive. And if it did and the ecosystem wasn't harmed or upset, what about reproduction? What if there was an error somewhere? Copies of copies, wouldn't the quality eventually deteriorate? Besides, cells already have flaws as it is. Can you imagine how messed up thousands years old cells would be? Just because the body isn't a rotting pile of mean does not mean that the cells are still fit as a fiddle.
11. What are some reasons a person might want to clone a human?
Cloning stem cells so people can be given new cells that have not undergone disease or damage. Also, people who cannot have children who really want them, well, cloning is an option (sure, sure, go ahead and ignore the sad-faced, lonely orphan for your technological child who is an exact replica of you, you dense narcissist. Can't we solve that problem before taking on others?). Quick question, if they can clone humans and clone dead pets, can they do the same for deceased humans? it'd be a little impractical considering they dead person might've been your grandpa and he is now a baby and won't grow up to be the same and will develop his own epigenetic tags that are on or off and inevitably wind up being a different person altogether who just happens to have the same DNA as that guy sitting in his grave over there. Oh, the next option they had listed was to replace a deceased child. Oops. I guess it would make more sense if it was a dead baby or something since epigenetics haven't set in yet. But what if the baby died from some sort of hereditary disease that was recessive and both parents had one copy and hte kid winded up with both. The child would only end up dying again.
THE CLONE ZONE
12. What animal was cloned in 1885?
Sea urchans
13. How did Spemann separate the two cells of the embryo of a salamander in 1902?
He used a noose made of baby hair. I wonder if it was the hair from the clone of the dead baby. . . .
14. The process of removing a nucleus is called
Enucleation
15. In 1952, the nucleus of a ____________ embryo cell was placed into a donor cell. Did it work to clone the animal? ____________
a.) Tadpole.
b.) Not well. The majority died and the few who survived developed abnormally.
16. Can the nucleus of an adult cell be injected into an egg cell and produce a clone?
Yes.
17. Why are mammals hard to clone?
The cells are smaller so it is harder to manipulate them. Funny, 'cause mammals are usually larger than salamanders and frogs. The one they were planning to clone, a rabbit, is larger, certainly. Oh, well. It's not too surprising of a fact.
18. What were the names of the first two cloned cows?
Fusion and Copy. That's scientists for you, always thinking of the most creative names.
19. In what year was the National Bioethics Advisory Council formed?
1995
20. The first mammal clone to be produced from an adult (somatic) cell?
Sheep
21. What do scientists do to adult cells to make them "behave" like embryos?
Electric shocks reset, or rebooted the cells.
22. Transgenic, cloned sheep were used to produce what medical protein?
Producing protein in milk was one way, that way, when the animal was milked, they could simply purify the protein. The protien is used to treat people who suffer from hemophilia.
23. What is a stem cell?
The basic building blocks of life. They are the cells that can divide into multiple cells and can develop into any type of cell (minus nervous cells and cells in your brain).
CLONING MYTHS
24. Briefly describe in your own words, why CC the cat was not identical in color to Rainbow, even though she was a clone.
Calico cats get their multi-colored coats by having genes for certain colors turned on or off on the X chromosome during development. The processes was called X-inactivation that occurs mainly in females. It is an random and erratic process so it's not the same with any two cats. CC's genes had the same X-inactivation which resulted in a lack of orange in her coat.
25. What is "nature vs nurture"?
In the science world, their term of nature vs. nurture is more along the lines of the idea of epigenetics. These scientists' summation of nature vs nurture is that genetics lays down the building blocks then the environment takes those blocks and creates a structure out of them, determining the appearance and personality.
IS IT CLONING OR NOT?
26. For each of the following scenarios, indicate YES (it is cloning) or NO (it is not cloning)
NO Sperm taken from a male goat is combined with a female's egg in a petri dish. The resulting embryo is implanted into the female's uterus to develop
YES (BUT MATURE CELLS ARE PREFRED) A sheep embryo, composed of 16 cells, is removed from the mother's uterus and separated into indivudal cells. Each cell is allowed to multiply, creating 16 separate embryos, which are then implanted in different female sheep to develop to maturity.
NO A cow with many desirable traits is stimulated with hormones to produce a number of egg cells. Each of these eggs is fertilized and implanted into a surrogate mother.
NO In vitro fertilization
YES Cell nuclei from an extinct wolly mammoth are placed into enucleated cow cells.
27. Define or describe each of the following processes (you may need to reset the Cloning or Not Screen)
Invitro fertilization
Eggs are taken from the female's ovaries and placed in a petri dish. Sperm are then released to fertilize the egg which is then placed into the mother's uterus.
Embryo splitting
Embryo splitting can occur naturally with twins or is the method used for cloning. A zyogote (a fertilized egg) divides into two separate cells. With cloning, it's the same processes, only the egg is fertilized in a petri dish and then splits in a petri dish. Both cells must have divided 16 times at least before being placed in the mother.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
An egg cell has its nucleus removed. Then a sommatic cell from the organism you want to clone is taken. The nucleus is removed form the sommatic cell and placed in the egg cell. Some chemicals are added, time passes, the egg is placed in the mother, and later a clone is produced.
Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer
A female organism with desired traits has her hormones altered so that she produces more eggs than normal. Sperm from a male organism with desired traits then fertilize the eggs. The eggs are then removed before they attach to the wall of the uterus in the mother.
Artificial Insemination
The process of placing sperm taken from a male and placing it into the female's reproductive track.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF CLONING?
28. What is one reason why cloning animals has such a high failure rate?
The success rate is .1-3% because the enucleated egg and the nucleus from the sommatic cell may not be compatible, not to mention the fact that the division may mess up (there are genetic mutations naturally, artificially is so much more messed up). The implanting of the embryo into the surrogate mother may not take hold and if it does, the pregnancy or delivering itself may fall through.
29. What is a telomere and how does it affect cloned animals?
Telomeres are at the end of the chromosomes that get smaller each time the divide, which ages the cell. The more the cell divides, the shorter the telomeres and chromosome. There is no clear effect that this has on cloning. With cattle and mice, the telomeres were longer, increasing the cell lifespan of the animals; with Dolley, the telomeres were shorter and decreasing her cell lifespan.
WHAT ARE SOME ISSUES IN CLONING?
30. Pick one of the questions to ponder and ....ponder it. Write a brief essay on your thoughts and opinions.
I'm gonna play the devil's advocate here and say the main issue is, how can we get the public to agree to human cloning? A big argument is saying that we, as humans, should not impart life. We shouldn't be playing God. But all life is is basically cells working together. "Life" comes as cells turn into a functioning organism and "life goes" when those cells start to malfunction. If you were unable to have kids and that's what you wanted, wouldn't you want to have an option, a possible back-up plan vs. orphans if you really wanted the kid to be "yours" (sure, sure, 'cause there aren't thousands of orphans waiting to be adopted). Or you wanted some part of your child back. Your child who died in a car accident and even though you know the clone won't act the same or really be the same as your child, you can comfort yourself in the knowledge that the clone has your child's genetics in it, and are, in a way, keeping your child alive. Who are you to deny that happiness from other people?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Harvest of Fear
SHOULD WE GROW GM CROPS?
1. What is a GM Crop.
A GM crop is a genetically modified crop.
2. List 2 arguments FOR the growing of GM crops
a.) Stop the need and therefore use of chemicals that act as insect and weed killers.
b.) Genetic engineering is natural because that's all evolution is.
3. List 2 arguments AGAINST the growing of GM crops.
a.) Genetically engineered food is feared to cause allergies and diseases with things like how the food will resist our anti biotics and cause disease-spreading bacteria that are immune to out antibodies (my rebuttal to that, normal food pose the same risks: i.e. peanuts and salmanilla, what if genetic engineering could ERADICATE that threat? Trial and error would have to occur, but at least it offers a possible solution.)
b.) Small farms will go out of business with the wide-spreading, powerful, super-fast growing, market-mad companies taking all the consumers. (I've got no rebuttal for this one.)
ENGINEER A CROP
4. Practice this simulation until you get the largest ears of corn. How many times did it take you?
Three times.
WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
5. List two foods and desribe how they are being modified.
a.)Coffe beans: they are attempting to be genetically modified so that the trees yield decaffinated beans which would then avoid the need to decafinnate the beans later, saving money.
b.) They are attempting to engineer a potato so that it doesn't absorb as much oil when it is fried. Also, on that same note, scientists are trying to create oils that are healthier because they have fewer saturated fats.
VIEW POINTS
Do you think food should be labeled if it has been genetically modified? Why or Why not?
I think so. If genetic engineering provides a huge boost in the economy and gives the companies who manufacture the foods more money, then they should be able bit the bullet and spend the money on labeling the food as genetically engineered or not. Some people, despite arguments for genetically modified foods, do not want to ingest GM crops and companies should respect that. ANd why I am saying that genetically engineered farmers should be the ones to put on the sign that says "genetically engineered" instead of others saying "Not genetically engineered" is because everyone says that GM crops will give a huge boost in the economy and will yield a larger sum of money for the companies who produce GM crops. People also say that small farms will be put out of business due to the take-over of genetic engineering and therefore won't have the money to waste on the label.
1. What is a GM Crop.
A GM crop is a genetically modified crop.
2. List 2 arguments FOR the growing of GM crops
a.) Stop the need and therefore use of chemicals that act as insect and weed killers.
b.) Genetic engineering is natural because that's all evolution is.
3. List 2 arguments AGAINST the growing of GM crops.
a.) Genetically engineered food is feared to cause allergies and diseases with things like how the food will resist our anti biotics and cause disease-spreading bacteria that are immune to out antibodies (my rebuttal to that, normal food pose the same risks: i.e. peanuts and salmanilla, what if genetic engineering could ERADICATE that threat? Trial and error would have to occur, but at least it offers a possible solution.)
b.) Small farms will go out of business with the wide-spreading, powerful, super-fast growing, market-mad companies taking all the consumers. (I've got no rebuttal for this one.)
ENGINEER A CROP
4. Practice this simulation until you get the largest ears of corn. How many times did it take you?
Three times.
WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
5. List two foods and desribe how they are being modified.
a.)Coffe beans: they are attempting to be genetically modified so that the trees yield decaffinated beans which would then avoid the need to decafinnate the beans later, saving money.
b.) They are attempting to engineer a potato so that it doesn't absorb as much oil when it is fried. Also, on that same note, scientists are trying to create oils that are healthier because they have fewer saturated fats.
VIEW POINTS
Do you think food should be labeled if it has been genetically modified? Why or Why not?
I think so. If genetic engineering provides a huge boost in the economy and gives the companies who manufacture the foods more money, then they should be able bit the bullet and spend the money on labeling the food as genetically engineered or not. Some people, despite arguments for genetically modified foods, do not want to ingest GM crops and companies should respect that. ANd why I am saying that genetically engineered farmers should be the ones to put on the sign that says "genetically engineered" instead of others saying "Not genetically engineered" is because everyone says that GM crops will give a huge boost in the economy and will yield a larger sum of money for the companies who produce GM crops. People also say that small farms will be put out of business due to the take-over of genetic engineering and therefore won't have the money to waste on the label.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Epigenome
IDENTICAL TWINS: PINPOINTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE EPIGENOME
1. Often, the physical characteristics of genetically identical twins become increasingly different as they age, even at the molecular level. Explain why this is so.
As people age, the a greater difference in environmental occurs. While they are younger (birth to toddling ages), they are more closely related because they haven't really had the time to see more of the world and make their own decisions and develop different habits.
2. Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome.
Diet, habits (exercise or tv), toxins (smoking), and stress amounts.
3. What is an imprinted gene?
An imprinted gene is a epigenetic tag that instead of being erased during the first days after fertilization, are kept and the child is born with these tags turned on or off.
YOUR ENVIRONMENT, YOUR EPIGENOME
1. Discuss factors in your daily life (ie. Diet, exercise, stress etc.) that could be affecting your epigenome
The fact that I don't like bananas (awful little things) is probably not doing me any good because it means I won't be getting potasium, whatever that is. But the fact that I listen to my music out-loud when I can and as low as it can go will lead me to have less of a risk of hearing-impairment problems when I'm older.
LICK YOUR RATS
1. Explain how a high-nurturing mother rat shapes her pup's epigenome, and what that pup's response to stress will be.
A rat mother who constantly licks her pups will produce cortisol more readily which will bind to GR protein and calm the wel nurtured rat quicker than the neglected rat.
2. In rats, does licking by the mother activate, or deactivate her pup's GR gene?
It will activate the gene.
3. Explain how cortisol and the GR protein work together in the brain to relax a rat pup. You may draw a diagram.
When rats are agitated, animals go into this fight or flight instinct, where they will flee from the danger or fight it. However, with well nurture rats, soon after the danger has passed, more cortisol is released which binds to the GR protein which will then send out calming signals to the rat. Where a maltreated rat will take longer to calm down because less cortisol is released.
4. The rat nurturing example shows us how parental behavior can shape the behavior of their offspring on a biochemical level. Relate this to humans and think about the personal and social implications. Record your thoughts.
Now a days, the more open, fun, and accepting a family is, the kid is more confident, chirpier, and accepting as well. The page kind of gave an example of this with the rats. A well nurtured rat in human society would fit in nicely and be sociable, whereas a low-nurtured rat would have a harder time fitting in because it would be anxious and paranoid. However, in the wild, it is a good thing to be anxious because those rats are more alert to danger in a land of scarce food vs. a happy-go-lucky rat. So low nurtured rats would make poor humans and high nurtured would good people.
NUTRITION & THE EPIGENOME
1. Explain how the food we eat affects gene expression.
Extracted nutrients are manipulated, modified, and molded into molecules, sometimes that molecule is important in making epigenetic tags that turn off genes. The molecules that will be helping epigenetic tags go through the methyl pathway in the metabolism who, in the end, put the modified molecules into our DNA.
2. Can the diets of parents affect their offspring's epigenome?
Yes, they can. For example, a lack of methyl-donating folate or choline during late fetal or prenatal development in a child leads to a methyl deficiency for life. With rats, a mother can malnourish her rats without eating methyl for the agouti gene which will cause her pups to have a yellow coat and be fat. Whereas healthy, methyl nourished pups will be thinner and have a brown coat.
EPIGENETICS & THE HUMAN BRAIN
1. How does Dietary methyl influence gene expression?
A higher level of methyl leads to a less active RNA, leading to a less active ribosome, meaning less protein which occurs in a greater number of people who commit suicide. Those who commit suicide have a gene for REEELIN protein which has less methyl (so is more active) that normal schizophrenic brains. This protein is crucial for the shaping of the brain in the early years and later on for learning.
2. Why do Toxins affect gene methylation?
Some toxins affect methylation because they treat the mental illness by changing the gene expression. The expressions are then stabilized through "epigenetic mechanisms" (DNA methylation and histone modification) which will reverse the effects of the disease. Harmful drugs, such as cocaine, will cause epigenetic changes in specified brain regions which will affect hundreds of genes in one go. Some of these changes are irreversible and are for life, even after the lack of exposer to the drug. It's theorize that long-term effects of drug abuse, addiction, and high rate of relapses is due to the epigenetic code.
1. Often, the physical characteristics of genetically identical twins become increasingly different as they age, even at the molecular level. Explain why this is so.
As people age, the a greater difference in environmental occurs. While they are younger (birth to toddling ages), they are more closely related because they haven't really had the time to see more of the world and make their own decisions and develop different habits.
2. Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome.
Diet, habits (exercise or tv), toxins (smoking), and stress amounts.
3. What is an imprinted gene?
An imprinted gene is a epigenetic tag that instead of being erased during the first days after fertilization, are kept and the child is born with these tags turned on or off.
YOUR ENVIRONMENT, YOUR EPIGENOME
1. Discuss factors in your daily life (ie. Diet, exercise, stress etc.) that could be affecting your epigenome
The fact that I don't like bananas (awful little things) is probably not doing me any good because it means I won't be getting potasium, whatever that is. But the fact that I listen to my music out-loud when I can and as low as it can go will lead me to have less of a risk of hearing-impairment problems when I'm older.
LICK YOUR RATS
1. Explain how a high-nurturing mother rat shapes her pup's epigenome, and what that pup's response to stress will be.
A rat mother who constantly licks her pups will produce cortisol more readily which will bind to GR protein and calm the wel nurtured rat quicker than the neglected rat.
2. In rats, does licking by the mother activate, or deactivate her pup's GR gene?
It will activate the gene.
3. Explain how cortisol and the GR protein work together in the brain to relax a rat pup. You may draw a diagram.
When rats are agitated, animals go into this fight or flight instinct, where they will flee from the danger or fight it. However, with well nurture rats, soon after the danger has passed, more cortisol is released which binds to the GR protein which will then send out calming signals to the rat. Where a maltreated rat will take longer to calm down because less cortisol is released.
4. The rat nurturing example shows us how parental behavior can shape the behavior of their offspring on a biochemical level. Relate this to humans and think about the personal and social implications. Record your thoughts.
Now a days, the more open, fun, and accepting a family is, the kid is more confident, chirpier, and accepting as well. The page kind of gave an example of this with the rats. A well nurtured rat in human society would fit in nicely and be sociable, whereas a low-nurtured rat would have a harder time fitting in because it would be anxious and paranoid. However, in the wild, it is a good thing to be anxious because those rats are more alert to danger in a land of scarce food vs. a happy-go-lucky rat. So low nurtured rats would make poor humans and high nurtured would good people.
NUTRITION & THE EPIGENOME
1. Explain how the food we eat affects gene expression.
Extracted nutrients are manipulated, modified, and molded into molecules, sometimes that molecule is important in making epigenetic tags that turn off genes. The molecules that will be helping epigenetic tags go through the methyl pathway in the metabolism who, in the end, put the modified molecules into our DNA.
2. Can the diets of parents affect their offspring's epigenome?
Yes, they can. For example, a lack of methyl-donating folate or choline during late fetal or prenatal development in a child leads to a methyl deficiency for life. With rats, a mother can malnourish her rats without eating methyl for the agouti gene which will cause her pups to have a yellow coat and be fat. Whereas healthy, methyl nourished pups will be thinner and have a brown coat.
EPIGENETICS & THE HUMAN BRAIN
1. How does Dietary methyl influence gene expression?
A higher level of methyl leads to a less active RNA, leading to a less active ribosome, meaning less protein which occurs in a greater number of people who commit suicide. Those who commit suicide have a gene for REEELIN protein which has less methyl (so is more active) that normal schizophrenic brains. This protein is crucial for the shaping of the brain in the early years and later on for learning.
2. Why do Toxins affect gene methylation?
Some toxins affect methylation because they treat the mental illness by changing the gene expression. The expressions are then stabilized through "epigenetic mechanisms" (DNA methylation and histone modification) which will reverse the effects of the disease. Harmful drugs, such as cocaine, will cause epigenetic changes in specified brain regions which will affect hundreds of genes in one go. Some of these changes are irreversible and are for life, even after the lack of exposer to the drug. It's theorize that long-term effects of drug abuse, addiction, and high rate of relapses is due to the epigenetic code.
Wednesday, November 24, 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?
An identical twin would be the exception.
2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?
Determining a biological mother or father.
Part 1 “It Takes a Lickin”
3. What “crime” was committed?
Jimmy Sweet's lollipop was licked by someone other than himself. Supposedly, one of his seven sisters.
4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?
Saliva.
Part 2 “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”
5. What does a restriction enzyme do?
It cuts the long strands of DNA into different sections, and the length of those fragments will determine who ate the lollipop because everyone's DNA is different and will be cut differently.
6. What is agarose gel?
A thick, pours, jello-like substance that will act as a molecular strainer and allow the smaller pieces of DNA to move through more easily.
7. What is electrophoresis?
The process of moving molecules with electricity. THe DNA fragments have a negative charge and therefore move to the positive charged end.
8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands?
More easily.
9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?
Because agarose is hard to work with and the nylon is used to transfer the DNA from the aragose to the membrane.
10. Probes attach themselves to __________
The DNA fragments on the nylon membrane.
11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive?
Probes.
12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.
It looks like a bar code you find on products in a store. There was a little more space between the black lines, but the idea of the bar code is the same. Out of curiosity, were bar codes developed before or after the DNA was discovered? If after, then was bar code copied after, and if before, then was it just a mere coincidence? There were 3 fat bars, one medium bar, 6 skinny bars, and 2 anorexic bars.
13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?
Honey Sweet.
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?
DNA replication and protein synthesis.
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: CHEMISISTS CREATE DNA ASSEMBLY LINE Author and Date: SCIENCE DAYILY/MAY 14, 2010
Summarize what the article was about. Write this in a paragraph format.
Chemists created a DNA assembly line which consisted of three DNA machines are used in the DNA assembly line. The first is known as a DNA origami, which is a composition that involves a couple hundred short DNA strands to direct a long DNA strand to form to the desired shape. The next is known as a "cassette" which determine the cargo being moved in the DNA. Changing the sequence of the machines, scientists can enable to prevent the cargo being transported. The last is known as a "walker." This moves the assemble track and picks up the cargo at the priorly mentioned machines.
Introduction:
1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what?
An identical twin would be the exception.
2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?
Determining a biological mother or father.
Part 1 “It Takes a Lickin”
3. What “crime” was committed?
Jimmy Sweet's lollipop was licked by someone other than himself. Supposedly, one of his seven sisters.
4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?
Saliva.
Part 2 “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”
5. What does a restriction enzyme do?
It cuts the long strands of DNA into different sections, and the length of those fragments will determine who ate the lollipop because everyone's DNA is different and will be cut differently.
6. What is agarose gel?
A thick, pours, jello-like substance that will act as a molecular strainer and allow the smaller pieces of DNA to move through more easily.
7. What is electrophoresis?
The process of moving molecules with electricity. THe DNA fragments have a negative charge and therefore move to the positive charged end.
8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands?
More easily.
9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?
Because agarose is hard to work with and the nylon is used to transfer the DNA from the aragose to the membrane.
10. Probes attach themselves to __________
The DNA fragments on the nylon membrane.
11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive?
Probes.
12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.
It looks like a bar code you find on products in a store. There was a little more space between the black lines, but the idea of the bar code is the same. Out of curiosity, were bar codes developed before or after the DNA was discovered? If after, then was bar code copied after, and if before, then was it just a mere coincidence? There were 3 fat bars, one medium bar, 6 skinny bars, and 2 anorexic bars.
13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?
Honey Sweet.
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?
DNA replication and protein synthesis.
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: CHEMISISTS CREATE DNA ASSEMBLY LINE Author and Date: SCIENCE DAYILY/MAY 14, 2010
Summarize what the article was about. Write this in a paragraph format.
Chemists created a DNA assembly line which consisted of three DNA machines are used in the DNA assembly line. The first is known as a DNA origami, which is a composition that involves a couple hundred short DNA strands to direct a long DNA strand to form to the desired shape. The next is known as a "cassette" which determine the cargo being moved in the DNA. Changing the sequence of the machines, scientists can enable to prevent the cargo being transported. The last is known as a "walker." This moves the assemble track and picks up the cargo at the priorly mentioned machines.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Mitosis Tutorial Virtual Lab
1. Which stage does the following occur
Chromatin condenses into chromosomes
PROPHASE
Chromosomes align in center of cell.
METAPHASE
Longest part of the cell cycle.
PROPHASE OR ANAPHASE, (DEPENDING ON IF YOU ARE INCLUDING PROMETAPHASE OR NOT)
Nuclear envelope breaks down.
PROMETAPHSE
Cell is cleaved into two new daughter cells.
CYTOKINESIS
Daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles.
TELOPHASE
Watch the video carefully.
2. The colored chromosomes represent chromatids. There are two of each color because one is an exact duplicate of the other.
--How many chromosomes are visible at the beginning of mitosis?
8
-- How many are in each daughter cell at the end of mitosis?
4
--The little green T shaped things on the cell are:
Centrioles
-- What happens to the centrioles during mitosis?
The fibers (with the chromatids attached) hook on to the centrioles who then travel to opposite poles of the cell and are split into each cell when it is divided. (Question: There were four in the mother cell, and two in each daughter cell. The next generation of cells from the daughter cell will have enough centrioles, but what happens after that? Each daughter cell would only have one centriole.)
3 . Identify the stages of these cells:
Interphase: When the cell is not experiencing mitosis.
Prophase: The nucleus dissolves and chromatin condense into chromosomes.
Prometaphase: Fibers elongate to attach to either kinetochores or chromosomes.
Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the equator of a cell.
Anaphase: Daughter chromosomes are pulled to opposite poles of the cell by shortening spindle fibers.
Telophase: Daughter chromosomes arrive at the opposite ends of the cell, and the fibers disappear.
Cytokinesis: A contracting rings severs the cell in two.
Another Mitosis Animation
Go to www.johnkyrk.com/mitosis.html
View the animation and sketch the cell in:
Prophase
Chromosomes condense and become visible while the nucleus dissolves. Centrioles appear and move to opposite poles on the cell. Spindle fibers form but do not latch on yet.
Metaphase
Chromosomes line up at the equator of the cell and spindle fibers attach onto their kinetochores (where the duplicated and original chromosomes are connected).
Telophase
The nucleus reforms after spindle fibers shorten, then dissipate. Then the chromosomes disperse. Cytokinesis, while not technically considered part of mitosis, would be when the equator of the cell is stretched and begins to squeeze into two cells, then splits. This creates the two, duplicated sister cells.
Onion Root Tip - Online Activity
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html
Read the introduction, then click the “next” button.
You will have 36 cells to classify. When you’re finished, record your data in the chart below.
| Interphase | Prophase | Metaphase | Anaphase | Telophase | Total
Number of cells | 20 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 36
Percent of cells | 56% | 28% | 8% | 6% | 3% | 100% (Technically, 101%, but I rounded)
Mitosis in Whitefish & Onion Roots
http://www.biologycorner.com/flash/mitosis.html
For each organism, identify the stage of mitosis.
Whitefish
View 1: Telophase
View 2: Metaphase
View 3: Prophase
View 4: Anaphase
Onion
View 1: Prophase
View 2: Metaphase
View 3: Interphase
View 4: Telophase
View 5: Anaphase
Chromatin condenses into chromosomes
PROPHASE
Chromosomes align in center of cell.
METAPHASE
Longest part of the cell cycle.
PROPHASE OR ANAPHASE, (DEPENDING ON IF YOU ARE INCLUDING PROMETAPHASE OR NOT)
Nuclear envelope breaks down.
PROMETAPHSE
Cell is cleaved into two new daughter cells.
CYTOKINESIS
Daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles.
TELOPHASE
Watch the video carefully.
2. The colored chromosomes represent chromatids. There are two of each color because one is an exact duplicate of the other.
--How many chromosomes are visible at the beginning of mitosis?
8
-- How many are in each daughter cell at the end of mitosis?
4
--The little green T shaped things on the cell are:
Centrioles
-- What happens to the centrioles during mitosis?
The fibers (with the chromatids attached) hook on to the centrioles who then travel to opposite poles of the cell and are split into each cell when it is divided. (Question: There were four in the mother cell, and two in each daughter cell. The next generation of cells from the daughter cell will have enough centrioles, but what happens after that? Each daughter cell would only have one centriole.)
3 . Identify the stages of these cells:
Interphase: When the cell is not experiencing mitosis.
Prophase: The nucleus dissolves and chromatin condense into chromosomes.
Prometaphase: Fibers elongate to attach to either kinetochores or chromosomes.
Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the equator of a cell.
Anaphase: Daughter chromosomes are pulled to opposite poles of the cell by shortening spindle fibers.
Telophase: Daughter chromosomes arrive at the opposite ends of the cell, and the fibers disappear.
Cytokinesis: A contracting rings severs the cell in two.
Another Mitosis Animation
Go to www.johnkyrk.com/mitosis.html
View the animation and sketch the cell in:
Prophase
Chromosomes condense and become visible while the nucleus dissolves. Centrioles appear and move to opposite poles on the cell. Spindle fibers form but do not latch on yet.
Metaphase
Chromosomes line up at the equator of the cell and spindle fibers attach onto their kinetochores (where the duplicated and original chromosomes are connected).
Telophase
The nucleus reforms after spindle fibers shorten, then dissipate. Then the chromosomes disperse. Cytokinesis, while not technically considered part of mitosis, would be when the equator of the cell is stretched and begins to squeeze into two cells, then splits. This creates the two, duplicated sister cells.
Onion Root Tip - Online Activity
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html
Read the introduction, then click the “next” button.
You will have 36 cells to classify. When you’re finished, record your data in the chart below.
| Interphase | Prophase | Metaphase | Anaphase | Telophase | Total
Number of cells | 20 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 36
Percent of cells | 56% | 28% | 8% | 6% | 3% | 100% (Technically, 101%, but I rounded)
Mitosis in Whitefish & Onion Roots
http://www.biologycorner.com/flash/mitosis.html
For each organism, identify the stage of mitosis.
Whitefish
View 1: Telophase
View 2: Metaphase
View 3: Prophase
View 4: Anaphase
Onion
View 1: Prophase
View 2: Metaphase
View 3: Interphase
View 4: Telophase
View 5: Anaphase
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