Lab Protocol: Day 1
I. Observation ofPower Supply.
1. What is the brand and model number of it?
2. Are the voltages, currents and power outputs, constant or variable?
3. What is the relationship between volts, amps and power?
4. Describe voltage and amps in terms of rivers.
5. Describe what a power pack does.
6. In the gel box, what metal are the two electrodes made of?
7. Why do high end electronics use this metal?
8. What are the safety features that reduce the chance of electric shock?
9. How are the electrodes coded for positive and negative?
10. What are the buffer reservoir capacities? (Fill and measure)
Protocol: Day 2
III. Rinse twice with distilled water and fill the gel box approximately.5cm above the gel shelf. Connect the gel box to the Radio Shack power supply. Plug in the power supply. Turn the power supply to its minimum voltage. Observe and record the Voltage and Current at each step up the voltage scale.
Data table 1: Relationship of Voltage in Volts to Current in Amps in d-H2O
Voltage Setting (volts) / Actual Voltage (Volts) / Current (Amps)1.5V
3.0V
4.5V -> 12V
IV. Unplug and unhook the power supply. Add 1 ml of 1M NaCl. Mix by gently “sloshing” the gel box. Reattach the power supply. Turn the power supply to its minimum voltage. Plug in the power supply. Observe and record the voltage (V) and current (A) at each step up the voltage scale. Calculate the Resistance (R). Remember A=V/R
Data table 2: Relationship of Voltage in Volts, Current in Amps and Resistance in Ohms in 1M NaCl.
Voltage Setting (volts) / Actual Voltage (Volts) / Current (Amps) / Resistance (Ohms)1.5V
3.0V
4.5V ->12V
11. Explain your observations in the last two experiments.
Protocol: Day 3
V. Dump out, rinse out and put away the BioRad gel box. Set up the PhotoDyne gel system with distilled water, 1ml of 1M NaCl and 1ml of 0.2% phenol red. Mix by gently “sloshing” the gel box. Attach the power supply to the gel box. Plug in the power supply. Set the power supply to 120 volts. Turn on the power supply. Observe for 20 min. Record the temperature change every minute.
Data table 3: Relationship of Time in Min and Temp in Celsius.
Time (Min) / Temp (oC)0 min.
1 min.
2 min.
3 min. ->20min.
12. Record and explain your observations in acid/base chemical terms. Recall that phenol red is yellow at pH<6.5 and red at pH>8.0 (See hydrolysis of water for complete answer)
VI. Turn off power supply. Open gel box and add 3ml of 10X TBE. (10X TBE is the nickname of 0.9 M TRIS borate, 20 mM EDTA. It’s a pH buffer.) Mix by gently “sloshing” the gel box. Turn on the power supply. Observe for 5-10 min.
13. Record and explain your observations in acid/base terms.