Unit 6 Reflection

In Unit 6, we learned about the pros and cons of biotechnology, and its influence upon the past and present world. We learned about Recombinant DNA, Gel Electrophoresis, and many more techniques in biotechnology. One such thing was how influential it was in normal life. It reminds me of the many exciting things we produced in the labs during this unit. With each technique, it opens up a new variety of possiblities that we can do. From making glowing bacteria, to separating DNA from candy, we can do a lot of things with each technique. Some labs that demonstrate this are included in the following links.

During my time in this unit, I learned quite a lot about each technique, and its principles, as well as its history and effects in the present. Each one has its own flaws and bonuses that benefit people, but the only thing that troubles me is the number of techniques and what it benefits, like medical or food production. The procedures and what it does are easy for me, but remembering the many other minor and major techniques are way beyond me.

I hope others would learn from my mistakes that I may have caused in the past, and build from it, rather than leaving it in a mess like I do. Study well and don't get stuck on one thing, try help from others or search up a reference. Good luck, and always have fun in Biology.

Candy Electrophoresis Lab
Recombinant D




http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA2LzEzLzU0L2RuYS40NjE1MC5qcGcKcAl0aHVtYgk5NTB4NTM0IwplCWpwZw/3b6190d2/275/dna.jpg

Candy Electrophoresis Lab

Focus Question Answers:

1.  Yes, there was one color, which was the candy color of orange, that was faint but had split into two different colors.

2. Betanin

3.  They attract the dog's attention and makes the dog eat the treat, thinking it's good

5. The size of the DNA, and how easily it separates

6. The negative and positive flow of electricity through the gel

7. The pores of the gel as the liquid flows through

8. I would expect the 600, 1000, and 2000 to be somewhere near the beginning and the middle, while the 5000 to be somewhere near the end of the gel

Recombinant Lab Report

In the lab we did, we recreated the process of producing recombinant DNA. When we first began the lab, we had cut out several colored pieces of paper. One color was the pieces that would create the plasmid, another color would be those that create the Human DNA and insulin gene, and the final color would represent the restriction enzymes. I had decided to tape together one piece that had the restriction site, and another that was "resistant" to kanamycin over the two other pieces that were resistant to tetracycline and amplicillin, which I discarded away. I taped together all the pieces that create Human DNA and the insulin gene, and sorted out the restriction enzymes, enzymes that attach to the DNA and make cuts on it. After testing all of the restriction enzymes on the model, there was only one that could make only one cut on the plasmid and two on the human DNA. I then cut out the insulin gene in the the human DNA along the restriction enzyme's path, and the same thing for the plasmid. We attach the parts together and we are done with the lab

Which antibiotics could you use in your petri dishes to see if bacteria have taken in your plasmid? Why? Which antibiotics would you not use? Why?

You could use any, as long as there is so cells that have it inside. If there are none inside the bacteria, you would kill the thing. For example, if I used Kanamycin, and the bacteria wasn't resistant, then when I kill all other parts that aren't resistant to Kanamycin, so would the bacteria.

What are restriction enzymes and how do they work? Which one did you use and why?

Restriction enzymes are enzymes that attach to the DNA and make cuts on it to split the DNA. I used the "ECO R1" restriction enzyme since it was the only one that correctly split the DNA and the plasmid.
What would happen if you used an enzyme that cut the plasmid in two places?

The plasmid would be missing a large chunk of code, which could be vital for the organism to survive. When I attach on the insulin gene from the Human DNA, then the recombinant DNA would be very small
How do you think this process is important in our everyday life?

This process could produce new parts, and create specific immunities to the bodies, and so much more.
How else could this process be used (be creative!) or search online to find current technologies using recombinant DNA.

There are many ways that this technology is being used today, such as medical testing or even genetically modified pets, like the GloFish.

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New Years Goals for 2nd Semester

For my second semester, I decided that the two goals below would be the ones that I would aim for during the semester

1. I will work hard to keep my grades good, while having enough time to help elsewhere.
By working hard, I could finish my work early and study well, while also allowing time for extracurricular activities like swimming, and also helping my family, having fun, and enough sleep for tomorrow.
I will do my work as best as possible, study hard, and overall work hard, but also have time for other things

2. I will try to keep my family together, even though some of us dislike each other.
Most of my family are at each others necks, with my stubborn little brother and mother arguing with each other constantly, my older brother going to college, and my dad and I trying to stay out of the fight, but also try to help keep the family together for now. I will help my family as much as possible, but also try not to fuel the fire by angering others.