Transformation
What is the goal of bacterial transformation?
Bacterial transformation introduces DNA to bacterial cells. We want them to pick up the DNA, transcribe to RNA, then translate to protein to use the genes encoded on the DNA
What is a genotype?
A genotype is the alleles of a certain gene: AO
What does TLC do?
TLC separates multiple compounds in one sample based on a characteristic (such as polarity)
What is the purposed of PCR? (two big reasons)
PCR creates many copies of DNA from a small beginning sample. We can also target one specific region using primers
Which wavelengths of light do chlorophyll absorb?
Chlorophyll absorb blue and red wavelengths best and reflect green wavelengths
What is competence?
competence is the ability to pick up and express DNA
What is a phenotype?
A phenotype is the physical expression of the genotype: blood type
Which sample is more polar, A or B?
Polar samples are closer to the 1cm line
Which is a larger DNA fragment, A or B?
Larger fragments are closer to the well
Name 2 ways enzyme activity can be altered and explain the molecular mechanism
inhibitor: binds to active site and prevents substrate from binding
protease: degrades enzyme structure
heat: high heat degrades enzymes
pH: pH outside of optimum reduces enzyme efficiency
Describe the amount of colonies on LB +DNA and LB AMP +DNA plates and explain why we see this
LB +DNA has many colonies: no antibiotic inhibits the growth so they grow freely.
LB AMP + DNA has some colonies: the DNA plasmid has antibiotic resistance genes which some cells picked up and expressed. However, since not all cells did, there are fewer than LB +DNA
The blood sample produces clumps when introduced to anti-B. What does this mean?
The blood sample contains B antigens
How do you calculate rf value?
rf value= distance traveled by solute/ solvent
Why do we have two alleles of each gene?
One allele is from the mother, the other is from the father
What is the p value threshold for significance?
What happens when we heat up and then put bacterial cells on ice?
Heating up bacterial cells increases the fluidity of the cell membrane, making it easier for the plasmid to enter the cell. Putting the cells on ice decreases the fluidity and stabilizes the membrane.
What are the possible genotypes for type A blood?
The possible genotypes for type A blood are AA or AO
How do you determine the relative polarity of a molecule?
Polar molecules have more oxygens in their molecular structure
Why do we use taq polymerase in PCR?
Taq polymerase can withstand the repeated heating and cooling of PCR where our DNA polyermase cannot
What does it mean for two groups to be statistically significant?
Statistically significant means the difference between the two groups is likely to not be due to chance; the difference is real
Why do we wait 1 hour before plating our cells during transformation?
Bacterial cells which pick up the DNA plasmid need time to transcribe the DNA to mRNA and then to translate to protein in order to have antibiotic resistance
Determine the possible offspring genotypes for an AB x A cross
AA, AO, AB, BO because type A could be AA or AO
All hormones begin as cholesterol. What is required for a cell to convert hormone A to hormone B?
Specific enzymes is required to convert between different hormones. If an enzyme is not present, the hormone pathway stops
Allele A has 3 repeats. Allele B has 11 repeats. Which allele is a larger DNA fragment?
Allele B is larger that Allele A. More repeats make a larger molecule.
How did we measure photosynthesis?
We indirectly measured photosynthesis by measuring pH. As the algae goes through the calvin cycle, it pulls co2 out from the solution. Carbonic acid is then broken down into co2 and water, which makes the pH more basic. More basic, more photosynthesis