Pre-Lab
Name
Comparing DNA Sequences to Understand Evolutionary Relationships with BLAST
Directions: Access the Student Lab Manual on the class calendar (1/5/14). Scroll down to find Investigation 3 and read
the Background Information beginning on p.S41 to address the following:
1. Conducted between 1990 and 2003, the Human Genome Project intended to do what?
2. Why was it important to do this project? Explain this in your own words.
3. What is BLAST and what does it allow us to do?
4. Why is BLAST important for understanding evolution of species?
5. What will be the ultimate product of this lab investigation using BLAST?
Continue to read through the lab. Complete the pre-lab tasks found on pages S43-S44 of your lab packet.
1. Cladogram of major plant groups
2. GAPDH
a.
b.
Read through the Procedure.
1. What do we know about the fossil?
2. Using this fossil specimen and BLAST, what is your task?
On time?
LAB
Name
Comparing DNA Sequences to Understand Evolutionary Relationships with BLAST
Procedure:
Follow all steps on pages S45 – S 49 (through “Evaluating Results”) and include all parts on your final report.
Refer to page S47 of your lab packet to complete this table.
Data Table for BLAST Search
Fossil Gene
#
1
2
3
4
Species at the top of the list of “Sequences producing
significant alignments” for gene of interest
Score (“Max”
Score)
E value
BLAST LAB
Comparing DNA Sequences to Understand Evolutionary Relationships with BLAST
Scoring Guidelines
Components of Final Report
Pre-Lab Worksheet. On time as noted by initials/checkmark
Initial prediction of fossil placement on cladogram
Data Table: Genes & Sequences that match. Complete with applicable data; score & E
Analysis #1: Explained which species with most similar gene sequence to fossil
Analysis #2: Explanation of where fossil is located on cladogram
Analysis #3: Explains how similar that gene sequence is to actual gene sequence
Analysis #4: Explanation of most similar gene sequence to the gene of interest/why
Redrawn cladogram with new/old placement and justification
Missing
Fair
Good
Excellent
0
2
3
4
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
3
5
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
3
5
Evaluating Results
Number of genomes available for use through BLAST
How limitation impacts proper analysis of gene data used in labs
Explanation of other data, collected by fossil specimen, to help properly identify its
evolutionary history
TOTAL
/ 25
Final Report to be printed and submitted by Friday, January 9, 2015