Introduction:
1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what?
The only exception is if you have an identical twin.
2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?
DNA fingerprints are can be used for a variety of things, from determining a biological mother of father to identifying a suspect in a crime.
Part 1 “It Takes a Lickin”
3. What “crime” was committed?
Jimmy found that his most prized possession, a holographic NOVA lollipop, had been disturbed. The air tight package had been broken, and the holograph and been licked off.
4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?
Saliva was taken from the "crime scene."
Part 2 “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”
5. What does a restriction enzyme do?
They cut along DNA molecules in different locations. Where they cut depends on the code in the DNA molecule and the code in the enzyme's molecule.
6. What is agarose gel?
It allows small pieces of DNA to move easier than large ones.
7. What is electrophoresis?
Electrophoresis separates DNA by length. It does this by moving the DNA pieces toward the positive end of the tray but the agarose gel strains the DNA only allowing small pieces of DNA get to the end.
8. Smaller fragments of DNA move easier than longer strands?
9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?
The agarose gel is hard to work with so that when the nylon membrane is placed on it the DNA is transferred to the nylon.
10. Probes attach themselves to the DNA code that they match.
11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive?
The probes are radioactive and that is how they got there look.
12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.
This is the DNA fingerprint.
13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?
Honey licked the lollipop.
Click on the Link “DNA Workshop” (if this link won't load, scroll down to the bottom where it says "try the non-java script version)
Once you’re there, go to the link “DNA Workshop Activity” and practice with DNA replication and protein synthesis.
Browse the DNA Workshop site.
14. What kinds of things could you do at the DNA workshop?
You can learn about DNA replication and protein synthesis. There is an activity for both of these things and you can also do the text book version of these activities.
Find an Article about DNA
Go to http://www.thegenesite.com/
15. Read an article about genetics at this site that you might find interesting, or use the "Search" box in the upper right hand corner to search for DNA fingerprinting.
Title of Article ____________________________ Author and Date ______________________________________
Summarize what the article was about. Write this in a paragraph format.
