/ Name: ______
Date: ______Block: ______

Go to the following URL:

  1. What characteristic of DNA makes it so that you cannot sort them by hand according to size?
  1. What is the purpose of Gel Electrophoresis?
  1. Does Gel Electrophoresis only work on DNA?
  1. Describe the “gel” used in Gel Electrophoresis.
  1. After adding DNA to the holes at the top of the gel, HOW do you get them to migrate?
  1. Describe how strands of differing sizes move through the gel.
  1. What is the purpose of staining the gel?
  1. Copy down the steps for performing Gel Electrophoresis…
  2. STEP 1
  3. STEP 2
  4. STEP 3
  5. STEP 4
  6. STEP 5
  7. What are the materials needed to perform step 1 (making the gel)?
  8. What IS agarose?
  1. What is a buffer made of and WHY is it necessary?
  1. How long must the agarose-buffer solution be heated?
  1. What do you do with the agarose mixture after you have heated it?
  1. What do you do after you pour the agarose into the plate?
  1. What do you do with the comb?
  1. How long does it take the agarose to cool and solidify?
  1. After removing the comb, what are the holes going to be used for?
  1. What is the next step you will perform?
  1. What is the function of the buffer used in the electrphoresis box?
  1. What do you place into the buffer in the electrophoresis box?
  1. What are the materials needed to perform step 3 (loading the DNA sample into gel)?
  2. What will you do with the loading buffer and the DNA samples?
  1. What is the function of the loading buffer?
  1. After preparing the DNA samples with loading buffer, what will you do next?
  1. Where will you place the sample?
  1. Is this process easy in real life?
  1. What will you then do with the DNA standard?
  1. What IS the DNA standard?
  1. How is it used in Gel Electrophoresis?
  1. Once the sample and standard have been loaded into your gel, what do you do next?
  1. In order for the DNA to run, how must the electrical charges be set up?
  1. How do you know that current is running through your electrophoresis box?
  1. Describe how the DNA strands move with respect to the charges applied.
  1. Describe how the DNA strands move with respect to their individual sizes.
  1. After the gel has been run, what is the next step?
  1. What is ethidium bromide and what is it’s function in the process of Gel Electrophoresis?
  1. What must you do with your gel before placing it in the ethidium bromide?
  1. Why must you be careful when handling ethidium bromide?
  1. How long does it take to stain the gel?
  1. Where do you place the gel after it is stained?
  1. When looking at the gel, describe what do you see.
  1. HOW will you determine the approximate lengths of the DNA strands from your sample?
  1. Write in your DNA size estimates on the gel shown below (this should be the same thing you see on your screen)
  1. How did you do? Did you get the base lengths all right?

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #1

Create a flow chart showing the process of Gel Electrophoresis and then write a summary paragraph on a separate sheet of paper.

DNA Fingerprinting “Virtual Lab”

Go to the following URL:

  1. DNA is unique for everyone with one exception. What would be an example of that exception? ______
  2. What are DNA Fingerprints used for?

A) ______

B) ______

Part I: “It Takes A Lickin’!”

  1. What “crime” was committed? ______
  1. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get the DNA?______
  1. How many suspects are there in this crime? ______

Part II: “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab!”

  1. What does a Restriction Enzyme do? ______
  1. What is Agarose Gel? ______
  1. What is Electrophoresis? ______
  2. Smaller fragments of DNA move ______that longer strands.
  1. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?

______

______

  1. Probes attach themselves to ______
  1. Which chemical in your “Virtual Lab” is radioactive? ______
  1. Based on your DNA Fingerprint…WHO COMMITTED THE CRIME???______

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #2

There are variations to the DNA Fingerprinting and General Electrophoresis processes… Create a graphic organizer of YOUR CHOICE showing how the two processes you have observed today are similar and different.