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flat Mackenzie R. Lindsay B. =DNA Extraction from Human Cheek Cells=

1. What are the 5 elements that make up DNA? The 5 elements that make up DNA include Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus.

2. What is the function of DNA from day to day? The function of DNA from day to day is to code for the production of proteins, which cells need to function.

3. Describe how long strands of double-helical DNA fit into the nucleus of a single cheek cell. Long strands of double-helical DNA fit into the nucleus of a single cheek cell by wrapping up into proteins called histones, which surround the nucleus.

4. What was the purpose of using the cell lysis solution? To purpose of using the cell lysis solution is to show the cell membrane and the nuclear envelope of the cell. This causes the cell to burst open and release the DNA.

5. Why does the DNA become visible once the alcohol is added? DNA is insoluble in alcohol. the alcohol causes the DNA to precipitate and then it separates from the rest of the solution.

6. If DNA is so thin, how is it that we are able to see it during this simple lab exercise? Many of the DNA strands cling together making them visible.

7. Why is DNA referred to as your genetic fingerprint? You can tell who someone is by their DNA the same way as you would for a fingerprint. It gives the same information but in a different form.

8. Give some examples of how DNA is used everyday. DNA can be used for crime investigation. If someone wants to know who committed a murder, they can test the DNA on the person they think did it and on the person who was murdered and see if they match.

This is a picture of our test tube, which has cheek cells in it.

= DNA Replication Model = In the first picture, you see the double helix. It shows the Sugar Phosphate Backbone and all of the bases on the DNA molecule. You also see the 2 and 3 hydrogen bonds, which are in between the bases to keep them together. The second picture shows the DNA starting to split. In this picture, you see the Helicase and the Single Stranded Binding Protein. The helicase breaks the bases apart and the Single Stranded Binding Protein keep them from coming back together. We also showed the replication fork, which helps the DNA replicate. Next, we showed the leading and lagging strand in the molecule. The leading strand, as you see, contains primase and polymerase. Primase gives a starting point for polymerase and polymerase replicates DNA. The lagging strand contains Okazaki Fragments, which synthesize the strand. Ligase helps join the Okazaki Fragments. The molecule splits into two different strands and then two complementary strands come to complete the two different strands. After that, they intertwine into two different double helix's and the process starts over again. Mitosis occurs in eukaryotic cells in the phases interphase, prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Cancer is the mutations that happen within the DNA molecule, which are substitution, deletion, and insertion.

=Transcription & Translation= media type="custom" key="12658778"

=Genetics Infographics=

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31493839@N08/3611117407/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/99112173@N00/5763146361/

=Medaka Infographic= []

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikingartist/5703392636/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Photo Credit for Hatched Fish: Ariel Robinson

=Diaper Dissection Lab=
 * Procedures: We made predictions about what the layer does and if it would soak up any water, or carry through the next layer. To test our predictions, we tore the diaper into four sections and with a graduated cylinder. After this, we poured water onto each layer to see how much water it would hold. Layer by layer, we tested how much liquid it would soak up and recorded our results.
 * Functions you predicted for each material: For the innermost layer, we predicted that it would let the liquid through the next layer without soaking up too much of the water. The layer after that, we thought that it would soak up the most liquid that we poured onto it. After this, we decided that the 3rd layer would make sure to stop the liquid and soak up any that went past the last layer. Finally, we predicted that the outermost layer is the cover of the diaper and doesn't let any liquid come out. It's a cover just in case the diaper fills up too much and the layers can't soak up any more liquid.
 * Functions you observed for each material after adding water: For the innermost layer, the liquid went straight through. It couldn't soak up a lot of liquid. It did soak up about 3ml though. The next layer also didn't hold much. It did hold more than the first layer with 5ml. With the third layer, we found that it soaked up about 65ml altogether. Finally, the outermost layer didn't soak, but it held water. It held about 130ml of water without leaking.
 * Environmental effects of disposable diapers on landfills based on your observations: Some environmental effects of disposable diapers on landfills include having 82,000 tons of plastic a year and 1.3 million tons of wood pulp. Due to this plastic and wood pulp, it takes many years for the diapers to disintegrate. It is also now illegal to depose of human waste because of how long it sits in the landfills.
 * Any other observations: Some other observations we made is that diapers can hold a lot of liquid (we found that our diaper held 203ml). They are very strong and we were surprised how much water it soaked up altogether.