DNA Extraction Lab

In this lab we asked the question: "How can DNA be separated from cheek cells order to study it?" We claim that DNA can be extracted from a cheek cell through a simple procedure. First, you scrap the sides of you mouth your teeth, then you swish you mouth with Gatorade, and spit it out. This lets you spit some of your cheek cells out with the liquid, and since Gatorade is a polar liquid it begins to break down the cheek cell. You then add salt to allow the DNA to clump up. You than add soap and enzymes from pineapple juice to further break down the cell, and at the end you ad alcohol to make the DNA float to the surface

As seen in the picture above the DNA floated to the surface at the end of this procedure, which proves that DNA can be extracted from a cell using this procedure.

On possible error is that some people poured the alcohol in too fast, and it mixed with the Gatorade mixture instead of forming a separate layer. This would negate the effect of the alcohol and prevent you from seeing DNA. To fix this the procedure should say to from two layers.

Another error is that is you don't put enough alcohol, then you wont see DNA. This could be fixed by adding more alcohol. 

This lab was done to show how DNA can be extracted from cells, and then be retrieved. This related to DNA, and how it is in every cell in your body. This lab can be applied to the field of genetics. You can use a similar procedure to extract DNA and test it for certain mutations.

Unit 4 refection

This unit was about reproduction, specifically sexual reproduction. I specifically learned the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction, how sex works, and what happens before sex(meiosis, and its steps). We also learned about inheritance, This involved using punnet squares to calculate the probability of offspring having certain traits based off their parents' genotypes. We also learned about dominant, and recessive alleles, which is when one allele is shown over another. Mendel discovered the characteristics and laid down the foundations of genetics. We also learned about some more complicated topics in genetics such as gene linkage, and epistasis.

My main strengths were punnet squares,mitosis and meiosis. My weakness is that i don't quite understand some of the more complected terms yet, and could still use some review on them. Doing the info graphic helped me a lot. It help with both the content side, and the time management side. On the content is was both a test of what I knew, and a review on what I didn't. I had to explain the concepts, so I had to be solid on them, which held me accountable for knowing them.

I still want to know more about genetic mutations. Genetic mutations ave always fascinated me, and the weren't talked about muck in this unit. 

I took a VARK Questionnaire to see how I should be studying, and what type of a learner I am. The results were as I expected, I was more kinesthetic(13), and visual(11), than read/write(6) and aural(2). The useful part of the survey was the studying tips. It recommended that I find/draw diagram and that I go back over what i did in labs. I intend to try both of theses new methods of studying on the new test

Coin Sex Lab

In this lab we learned how to use punnet squares to predict what traits our offspring will have, and how these prediction can deffer from what actually will happen. In this lab we used coins to represent genes, and the two sides of the coin represent the two different alleles for the gene. The flipping of the coins represents meiosis, and the two sets of coins up represents the processes of recombination. The coins also showed how probability of something happening can be different from what actually happens. We did multiple autosomal crosses, where the sex chromosomes are not involved, and one x-linked cross, which is when the sex chromosome are involved. We used two sets of one coin each to represent monohybrid crosses, and two sets of two coins each to represent dihybrid crosses. In some of our tests we labeled both side of the coin the same way to represent a homozygous trait, but in others we labeled the two sides differently to represent a heterozygous trait.

When we preformed the di-hybrid cross, we got results that were slightly different than what was expected. The punnet square gave us a phenotype ratio of:

9 Brown Hair, and Brown eyes : 3 Blond Hair, and Brown eyes : 3 Brown Hair, and blue eyes :
1 Blond Hair, and Blue eyes

Our experiment had slightly different results, and gave us the phenotypic ratio of:

8 Brown Hair, and Brown eyes : 4 Blond Hair, and Brown eyes : 2 Brown Hair, and blue eyes :
2 Blond Hair, and Blue eyes

The slight difference between the probability, and what actually happened is due to the fact that probability, and reality do not always line up. It possible to cross two heterozygotes, and get two recessive alleles in all ten offspring for the same reasons that you can flip a coin ten times and get heads every time. This lab demonstrated the limits of probability. Probability can give you odds on what can happen, but until the event occurs you have no idea what will happen. Relating back to the coin, the probability of getting heads two heads in a row is a 25% chance, but until you flip the coin twice you can't know if you will get two heads.

This lab relates to me because if/when I have children, then I cant use probability to predict what they might be like, but I have no way to know for sure what traits they will have, until they are born.

Genetics Infographic

Because in this layout my info graphic appears very small, to view it in full size click here.

Unit 3 reflection

This unit was about what is inside a cell, and what cells do. It included photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and osmosis. This unit also mentions how cells were discovered, and how cells changed over time. The main theme of this unit was that cells are the building blocks, and the ways cell use their organelles, and processes to communicate, and survive, and create life. One other key concept was how the structure of a cell affects its function. My main strength was the organelles, and osmosis, because I feel like I really understand them, and can explain them. My main weaknesses would be photosynthesis and cellular respiration, because while I mostly understand them, there are a few details I still don't understand fully.

I learned a lot about cells, and also about good lab procedure. I learned how to find errors in an experiment, and come up with ways to fix them. I also got a little better at getting through the vodcasts without pausing. Finally I learned new ways to get through difficult material.

I still want to learn more about photosynthesis, and how it works at a deeper level. At a more broad level I find it amazing how life evolved from tiny bacteria to big multi-cellular organisms that will have the capability to learn, and study the tiny cells they are made of. I also love concept of osmosis, and how quickly a cell will change based on its surroundings. If I have time I might try duplicating one of the experiments at home, but with slight modifications.










I normally study minimally for test, but for this one I plan to at the minim review photosynthesis and cellular respiration through the CFUs, vodcast notes, and the diagrams. I will also take the CFUs again, and review any other difficult concepts based on what I get wrong.

Egg diffusion lab

In this lab we took two eggs, and put them both in vinegar to dissolve the eggshell, and expose the membrane. After two days we took them both out of the vinegar, and put them into de-ionized water for a few more days, then after measuring their mass and circumference, placed one in sugar water, and one in de-ionized water. We then waited two days, measured their mass, and circumference again.

The cell that was placed in the hypertonic solution(sugar water) shrunk. Its mass decreased by 51.7%, and its circumference decreased by 23.67%. This was caused by the water in the cell wanting to diffuse from high concentration(the cell), to low concentration(the sugar water), and the sugar wanting to defuse into the cell,but being blocked by the membrane. The cell that was placed in the hypotonic solution grew. Its mass increased by .176%, and its circumference increased by .201%. This was caused by the water in the cell wanting to passively diffuse from high concentration(the DI water), to low concentration(the cell), and the minerals wanting to defuse into the cell,but being blocked by the membrane.

A cell's internal environment changes, as its external environment changes, because it naturally wants to maintain equilibrium, and because of that the cell will try to take in everything around it , until the concentration inside, and outside of the cell is the same. It does this through diffusion.

This lab demonstrates diffusion, and how solutes, and solvents want to move along the concentration, and the effect this has on the cell. 

Fresh vegetable are sprinkled with water, because water is hypotonic, and will want to diffuse into the cells of the vegetable, which will make the vegetable bigger, which will in turn make it look better, and make more people want to buy it. Also, when road are sprinkled with salt, the plants along the side die because the salt is hypertonic, and will make the cells in the plant shrink and lose functionality.

Based of this lab, I would want to do a lab to determine the effects of salt water on a cell, versus mineral water. 

Egg Macromolecules

In this lab we looked a cell to determine which macro molecules are found in which parts of the cell. To do this we took an egg, and separated it into the yolk, white, and membrane. We then took each of these three components and used chemical identifiers to determine which macro molecules were  in which parts of the cell. We found that proteins are found in the egg white. This was shown, by when we added sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and copper sulfate (CuSO4), to the sample, and it turned a dark blue, which is an indicator that a protein is present. This makes sense, because egg whites are the food for the growing embryo, and cells need proteins to grow. The membrane contains lipids. We know this because, when we added Sudan III to the lipid it turned orange, which is a sign that a lipid is present. This data makes sense because all membranes are made of lipids. We also found lipids in the egg yoke.  We know this because, when we added Sudan III to the lipid it dark-ish orange, which is a sign that a lipid is present. This data makes sense because all membranes are made of lipids, and there is a clear membrane surrounding the egg yoke.

 One possible error in this lab was that when we tested the yoke for proteins, the sample turned green,which made it impossible to tell if it contained proteins. To remove this error I would mix the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and copper sulfate (CuSO4) better. Another error is that when testing the membrane we cut it into one chunk. This only exposes the outside of the membrane, but not the inside. This led to us not finding proteins in the membrane, even though there were proteins in the membrane. To fix this error, I would cut the membrane into more, smaller, pieces before testing it.

This lab was done to further our understanding of macromolecules, and how they the building blocks of life. This relates to macromolecules, and also what makes up the different parts of a cell. This lab can be applied to future leaning about cells, and will allow me to make inferences about which macromolecules make up which parts of the cell.