Name _____________________________

DNA Fingerprinting

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sheppard/analyze.html

Objective: Students will learn the steps of DNA fingerprinting by creating a fingerprint in a virtual lab. They will use this fingerprint to solve a virtual crime. The virtual lab is interactive and goes through the step-by-step process of DNA fingerprinting
Create a DNA Fingerprint ( http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sheppard/analyze.html )

Introduction:

1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what?

identical twins.

2. What are DNA fingerprints used for?

they are used to identify people, and for blood testing, like in a crime scene.


Part 1 “It Takes a Lickin”

3. What “crime” was committed?

someone ate the holographic lollipop.


4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA?

saliva


Part 2 “DNA Fingerprinting at the NOVA Lab”

5. What does a restriction enzyme do?

They cut the DNA into pieces.

6. What is agarose gel?

It is a slimy, JEllo-like gel that allows smaller DNA pieces to go through it quicker.

7. What is electrophoresis?

It moves molecules with an electric current.

8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands?

faster

9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel?

To allow to move the DNA because the gel is hard to work with.

10. Probes attach themselves to __________

The complementary DNA

11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive?

The probes.

12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint.

3 thin lines, 2 blocks, 4 thin lines, 1 block, 1 thin line, 1 block


13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop?

Honey

 

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?

 
Replicate DNA, transcribe DNA to mRNA, and translate mRNA to proteins, which then creates a polypeptide.
 

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 DNA Fingerprinting Author and Date WebMD, april, 2009

Summarize what the article was about. Write this in a paragraph format.

This article is about the health ramifications of DNA fingerprinting and why you would. You would to identify a body, test relation with thought parents, or to solve a crime. You may not be able to if you have had a blood transfusion in the past 3 months. To get this done, blood will be extracted from a vein. Minor discomfort may be experienced. Also, healthy tissue will help the clarity of the tests.