First Lab 1 How Is It
First Lab
1. How is it possible to sort different lengths of DNA strands using gel electrophoresis?
DNA electrophoresis is a method used to sort DNA molecules by length. Pieces of DNA are in a tray of gel and subjected to an electric field, this causes them to migrate toward one side of the tray.
2. List the steps required to complete the gel electrophoresis process.
The first step is to make the gel. The second step is to set up the gel apparatus. The third step is load the DNA sample into the gel. The fourth step is hook up the electrical current and run the gel. The last step is stain the gel and analyze the result.
3. At the end of the lab, list your estimates of the 3 DNA strands. Were your estimates correct?
My estimates were 6000, 3500, and 1500. My estimates were exactly correct, I feel like a forensic scientist.
Second lab
1. Explain how DNA can be used to identify an individual when 99% of living things have a common genetic code.
Each human cell contains three billion DNA base pairs. Our unique DNA, 0.1% of 3 billion, amounts to 3 million base pairs.
2. When a small amount of DNA is found in human saliva on a glass at a crime scene, how do forensic scientists analyze the saliva to find a suspect?
They use PCR to amplify small amounts of DNA.
3. Do you think DNA evidence alone is enough to exonerate a prisoner already convicted of a crime? Why or why not? How do states make this determination?
I think yes because if the DNA is no theirs they should not be convicted. Other factors also have to be taken into consideration. Some states will think again about cases with convincing DNA evidence regardless of when the trial ended, quite a few states restrict the time for post-trial offer of DNA evidence to six months or less.
1. How is it possible to sort different lengths of DNA strands using gel electrophoresis?
DNA electrophoresis is a method used to sort DNA molecules by length. Pieces of DNA are in a tray of gel and subjected to an electric field, this causes them to migrate toward one side of the tray.
2. List the steps required to complete the gel electrophoresis process.
The first step is to make the gel. The second step is to set up the gel apparatus. The third step is load the DNA sample into the gel. The fourth step is hook up the electrical current and run the gel. The last step is stain the gel and analyze the result.
3. At the end of the lab, list your estimates of the 3 DNA strands. Were your estimates correct?
My estimates were 6000, 3500, and 1500. My estimates were exactly correct, I feel like a forensic scientist.
Second lab
1. Explain how DNA can be used to identify an individual when 99% of living things have a common genetic code.
Each human cell contains three billion DNA base pairs. Our unique DNA, 0.1% of 3 billion, amounts to 3 million base pairs.
2. When a small amount of DNA is found in human saliva on a glass at a crime scene, how do forensic scientists analyze the saliva to find a suspect?
They use PCR to amplify small amounts of DNA.
3. Do you think DNA evidence alone is enough to exonerate a prisoner already convicted of a crime? Why or why not? How do states make this determination?
I think yes because if the DNA is no theirs they should not be convicted. Other factors also have to be taken into consideration. Some states will think again about cases with convincing DNA evidence regardless of when the trial ended, quite a few states restrict the time for post-trial offer of DNA evidence to six months or less.