DNA Fingerprinting Virtual Lab

Introduction:

1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what?
If a person has an identical twin then they would have the same DNA as their twin.

2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?
They can be used for many different things, some include determining a person's biological mother or father, and determining a suspect of a crime.

Part 1 “It Takes a Lickin”

3. What “crime” was committed?
Jimmy Sweet's holographic NOVA lollipop was disturbed.

4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?
Saliva that was left on the lollypop was removed from the crime scene for evidence.

Part 2 “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”

5. What does a restriction enzyme do?
It cuts the DNA into separate strands of differing length.

6. What is agarose gel?
Agarose is a thick substance in which has a jello-like consistency that acts as a molecular strainer.

7. What is electrophoresis?
Electrophoresis moves around the molecules through an electrical current. Since DNA has a slight negative charge, the DNA molecules gravitate toward the positive end of the tray.

8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands?
Smaller fragments move more quickly and effectively toward the positive end of the tray.


9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?
It separates the DNA from the agarose gel so the DNA is much easier to work with.

10. Probes attach themselves to __________
Probes attach themselves to an area where their code encountered a certain pattern of code in the varying DNA fragments.

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


12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.
The DNA sketch has 3 larger black stripes and many smaller stripes in between.


13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?
Honey Sweet licked the lollypop.
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 can do the DNA workshop activity where you can virtually replicate DNA replication and protein synthesis