Introduction: This project was all about using our newly found genetics skills to solve a crime. Some of these skills include Pedigrees, DNA Karyotyping, DNA Fingerprinting, Blood Type Matching, Fingerprint Matching, and Fiber Analysis. All of these Can be found within the slide show below.
Concepts:
Molarity Formula:The unit of molarlity is expressed in moles per kilogram. The formula for molarlity is m = moles of solute / kilograms of solvent. The solute is defined as the substance being dissolved, while the solvent is the substance where the solute is dissolved (usually water). The solution is the combination of the solute and the solvent.
Gel Electrophoresis: Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory method used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to molecular size. In gel electrophoresis, the molecules to be separated are pushed by an electrical field through a gel that contains small pores.
Blood Type Analysis: Blood typing is used to determine an individual's blood group, to establish whether a person is blood group A, B, AB, or O and whether he or she is Rh positive or Rh negative.
Ink: Chromatography: Chromatography is a method of separating out materials from a mixture. Ink is a mixture of several dyes and therefore we can separate those colors from one another using chromatography. When ink is exposed to certain solvents the colors dissolve and can be separated out. When we expose a piece of paper with ink on it to a solvent, the ink spreads across the paper when the ink dissolves.
Karyotyping: Karyotype is a test to identify and evaluate the size, shape, and number of chromosomes in a sample of body cells. Extra or missing chromosomes, or abnormal positions of chromosome pieces, can cause problems with a person's growth, development, and body functions.
Dilution Calculator: Dilution is a reduction in the pH of a chemical (gas, vapor, solution). It is the process of decreasing the concentration of a solute in solution, usually simply by mixing with more solvent. To dilute a solution means to add more solvent without the addition of more solute.
Reflection:
Through out the project I had some strong and weak points. One thing I did well was that I was able to communicate my ideas very well with my group, which was crucial because this type of a topic was very new to all of us. There were two things I could've improved on. First of all, I missed a day of the project which made it so I fell behind a lot. This led to me being not as strong in the subject as I could've been. Another thing I could have improved on was the amount of time I was on task. I was often off task, which in turn made it very hard to stay caught up with the group, and I occasionally fell behind. To sum up the project I thought it was an overall success, I really enjoyed doing this whole project, and I can't wait to do more projects like this in the future.