Today’s virtual lab experience will investigate the lab techniques commonly used in biotechnology. For
each section, click on the link and complete the lab answering the associated questions as you go.
Questions should be answered individually on your own paper. When you are finished, you should have
a better understanding of the lab practices used in a modern biotech lab.
Part 1: DNA Extraction
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/extraction/
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What is the source of the DNA to be extracted?
What are the 2 ingredients in the lipase solution and what is the function of each?
What the addition of salt cause?
What is the purpose of centrifuging the solution?
Why does the DNA become visible when mixed with alcohol?
What is the purpose of the 2nd centrifuge?
Part 2: Gel Electrophoresis
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/
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What is the purpose of gel electrophoresis?
Based on how DNA is loaded into the chamber, hypothesize the charge of the DNA.
Why do strands of different length separate?
What is the purpose of the buffer?
Why is a comb inserted into the cooling gel?
What is the purpose of the loading buffer (give 2)?
What is a DNA standard?
Toward which end (+ or -) of the electrophoresis chamber will the DNA move? Why?
What indicates the gel is running?
Is the moving DNA visible?
What must be done to make the DNA visible?
To what part of the DNA does the ethidium bromide bond?
What safety precaution must be used while staining the DNA?
How many DNA fragments separated out?
What is the approximate size in base pairs for each fragment?
Part 3: Restriction Enzymes
Review the PowerPoint on restriction enzymes. (also linked to assignment on website calendar)
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What nickname is given to restriction enzymes?
What is their overall function?
From what bacterial strain is EcoR1 derived?
All recognition sites (i.e. the place in the DNA where the restriction endonuclease cuts) are
___________________ and __________ bp long.
Name two types of ends that can be created when the enzymes cut the DNA.
What sequence does BamH1 recognize?
What prevents bacteria from cutting up their own DNA?
Name 5 uses for restriction enzymes.
Copy and paste the link for the animation into Internet Explorer.
http://dnalc.org/view/15917-Cutting-and-pasting-DNA.html
Watch the animations for “cutting and pasting” and recombining DNA.
Briefly describe how genes from one organism may be transferred into another.
View the following animations:
http://dnalc.org/view/15476-Mechanism-of-Recombination-3D-animation-with-with-basicnarration.html
http://dnalc.org/view/16705-Animation-34-Genes-can-be-moved-between-species-.html