The Project
In this project, we learned about genetics by investigating a fictitious murder case. We learned how genes are expressed, as well as how genetic diseases form. At the end of the unit, we did a lab in which we genetically modified bacteria to have an antibiotic resistance.
The Murder Mystery
For the murder case, we were given six pieces of evidence to analyze, as well as the family history of all of the suspects. We created a pedigree chart to organize this information, realizing that all of the suspects, as well as the victim, were somehow related to one another. We ran various tests on the pieces of evidence in order to determine who's genetic material it matched with.
We were able to use the family histories to determine what diseases people had. To figure out blood types, we mixed the blood with antibodies and observed which ones curdled in which antibodies. For the DNA fingerprinting, we used gel electrophoresis to separate the genetic material of each suspect into colored bands, then compared those with the samples found at the crime scene. We counted how many of each chromosome each person had to decide if they had any chromosomal disorders. To match the ink on the note with the owner of the pen, we let rubbing alcohol soak up through a piece of paper, separating the ink into its base colors. For the fingerprint, we used a dusting brush to coat the fingerprint with pink powder in order to make it more visible.
Genetic Modification Lab
Biology
Genetic diseases are often caused by misshapen proteins, which are created when a mutation occurs. Mutations are errors in one's DNA sequence. There are two main types of mutations: point mutations and frameshift mutations. A point mutation occurs when a single nucleotide is either deleted, inserted, or substituted for another one. Insertion and deletion can lead to a frameshift mutation, where the reading frame for RNA polymerase is shifted. These can lead to missense mutations, where a single amino acid is incorrect in the polypeptide chain. It can also result in a nonsense mutation, which causes the polypeptide chain to stop forming too early. All of these mutations can occur in the germline (reproductive cells) or in somatic cells. Mutations in the germline are passed down, and they will affect every cell in the offspring's body.
Every cell has two copies of each gene, called alleles. Different genes exhibit different types of dominance between its alleles. Hair color is an example of complete dominance. Anyone with a single allele for brown hair will show brown hair in their phenotype, regardless of whether the other allele in their genotype is for brown hair or not. Blood types exhibit codominance, which occurs when both alleles in the gene are expressed. This can be seen in people with AB blood, which shows the genes for both type A and type B blood. The last type of dominance, incomplete dominance, is when the dominant allele changes the phenotype, but both alleles are still expressed. This can be seen in fingerprints, where a heterozygous gene produces a loop pattern instead of an arch or whorl.
Karyotypes are one's set of chromosomes. Chromosomal disorders, such as down syndrome, are caused when a person has an extra chromosome.
Genetic modification is the process in which biologists alter the genome of organisms in order to benefit humans. It can be done in four different ways: inserting a gene, deleting a gene, replacing a gene, and forcefully mutating a gene. Some of the most common techniques for doing this are plasmid injection, like in our lab, and CRISPR-Cas9.
Every cell has two copies of each gene, called alleles. Different genes exhibit different types of dominance between its alleles. Hair color is an example of complete dominance. Anyone with a single allele for brown hair will show brown hair in their phenotype, regardless of whether the other allele in their genotype is for brown hair or not. Blood types exhibit codominance, which occurs when both alleles in the gene are expressed. This can be seen in people with AB blood, which shows the genes for both type A and type B blood. The last type of dominance, incomplete dominance, is when the dominant allele changes the phenotype, but both alleles are still expressed. This can be seen in fingerprints, where a heterozygous gene produces a loop pattern instead of an arch or whorl.
Karyotypes are one's set of chromosomes. Chromosomal disorders, such as down syndrome, are caused when a person has an extra chromosome.
Genetic modification is the process in which biologists alter the genome of organisms in order to benefit humans. It can be done in four different ways: inserting a gene, deleting a gene, replacing a gene, and forcefully mutating a gene. Some of the most common techniques for doing this are plasmid injection, like in our lab, and CRISPR-Cas9.
Reflection
During this project, I was able to significantly improve my cooperation with the rest of my team. I was more open to others' ideas and compromises than I have been in the past. However, I also maintained my leadership in the group by making sure everyone was on task when they needed to be.
While it has improved, I still need to work on my empathy. I have a natural tendency to push for my ideas without fully considering everyone else's, a bad habit that need to be replaced. I also need to work on communication because I sometimes will do work on the project without approval from the rest of the group.
While it has improved, I still need to work on my empathy. I have a natural tendency to push for my ideas without fully considering everyone else's, a bad habit that need to be replaced. I also need to work on communication because I sometimes will do work on the project without approval from the rest of the group.
I worked on the Murder Mystery with Juan Castaneda and Sadie Ikeda
I worked on the lab with Bryce Bernales and Robert Orta