DNA Interactive / instructions
Directions: Today, you will be using the Internet to test and improve you understanding of DNA.
Carefully follow the instructions below and pace yourself to make sure you have time to get everything
done by the end of the period. TURN THIS IN FOR 30 POINTS.
NOTE: shared work will result in a shared grade, split between ALL those involved in copying.
1. DNA Extraction virtual lab
a. Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/extraction/
b. Click on “Start Lab”
c. Click “next” after reading the text on each page and answering the corresponding
questions on your worksheet, under “DNA Extraction”
2. Gel Electrophoresis virtual lab
a. Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/
b. Click on “Forward”
c. Click “Forward” after reading the text on each page and answering the corresponding
questions on your worksheet, under, under “Electrophoresis”
3. Transcription & Translation
a. Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/dna/transcribe/
b. Click on the button that says “Click Here to Begin”
c. Use the keyboard to type in the complementary base pairs to make an RNA strand
d. Translate the RNA strand you made into amino acids. Pay close attention to the
“Universal Genetic Code” chart – all RNA messages must begin with a “Start” codon
and end with a “Stop” codon, so you will have to shift the reading frame accordingly.
e. Answer the questions on your worksheet, under “Transcription & Translation”.
4. DNA Replication
a. Go to http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/dna_double_helix/
b. Click on “Play” arrow
c. Click through the information in the beginning to get to the game – you don’t need to
read this stuff.
d. Play all 3 rounds of the game. When the game is over, try to select the correct organism
that matches each DNA strand you replicate.
5. If you finish early, check out http://www.dnai.org/a/index.html
a. Choose one of the four modules (“Finding the Structure”; “Copying the Code”;
“Reading the Code”; and/or “Controlling the Code”)
b. At the top right, click “Putting it together”
c. Click on the “Interactive” icon to play
d. Try each of the other modules until the bell rings
DNA Interactive \ worksheet
Directions: Answer the questions on this worksheet. Complete each section by following the
instructions on the first page.
DNA EXTRACTION
1. What are three reasons why we would need to extract DNA?
2. Why does the DNA need to be extracted from a cell before it can be analyzed?
3. About how much DNA is inside every cell’s nucleus?
4. When we extracted our own DNA last Friday, how did the things we used (Gatorade, alcohol,
soap) relate to the things that are used in this virtual lab?
5. What are the alcohol and soap used for?
GEL ELECTROPHORESIS
1. What is electrophoresis used for?
2. Why is “gel” used?
3. What makes the DNA move?
4. Which strands move father? Why do you think they are able to do this?
5. What is a buffer? Why is it used in electrophoresis?
6. Why it is important to put the black (negative) cord closest to the wells where the negatively
charged DNA was injected?
TRANSCRIPTION & TRANSLATION
1. Why do you think it is important for there to be designated “Start” and “Stop” codons?
2. What amino acid would you end up with if you replaced the U in the second reading frame with
a G?
3. What amino acid would you end up if you deleted the C from the second reading frame?
4. What amino acid would you end up with if you added a G to the end of the second reading
frame?
5. How might having a mutation occur during transcription harm an organism? How might an
organism benefit from this?