The different colors represent, for example, the cancerous or noncancerous cells. The cancerous cells would be colored red, while the noncancerous cells would be green.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Genes: Seeing is Believing
Thanks to new technology, scientists are now able to view genes with their bare eyes. Because of this, we can now find what genes are doing their job, and which genes are causing things such as cancer or disease. The main piece of technology we use to see these genes is called a microarray. A microarray is a sort of scanning method where genes or DNA is placed or printed on a glass slide and then "scanned" different colors to distinguish between the unusual genes.
The different colors represent, for example, the cancerous or noncancerous cells. The cancerous cells would be colored red, while the noncancerous cells would be green.
The different colors represent, for example, the cancerous or noncancerous cells. The cancerous cells would be colored red, while the noncancerous cells would be green.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Forensic Files
DNA profiling or "fingerprinting" has been used in many situations to discover the true identities of different organisms. the main field of work that DNA profiling is used in is law enforcement. Scientists working with the police can solve various crimes by analyzing DNA and matching it with other samples. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism also known as RFLP was first introduced by Alec Jeffries, a geneticist, in 1985. RFLP creates a binding pattern based on the restriction sites in a person's DNA makeup. Today, we use polymerase chain reaction or PCR amplification to conduct DNA profiling which is a much quicker process.
A very important natural tool that scientists use for DNA profiling are Restriction Enzymes. Restriction Enzymes act like molecular scissors which cuts out and destroys DNA from invading viruses or phages. Reaction Enzymes first recognize the specific DNA sequences in phages or viruses and then cut the DNA at that site.
Agarose Gel creates groups of DNA which are separated by their size. DNA pieces are put into slabs of agarose gel which is then placed in a buffer solution. A current is sent through the agarose slab which causes the negatively charged DNA fragments to move toward the positive pole or anode. Inside the agarose gel slab, smaller DNA fragments can move more freely than larger ones, therefor smaller DNA fragments can travel further than large fragments.
A very important natural tool that scientists use for DNA profiling are Restriction Enzymes. Restriction Enzymes act like molecular scissors which cuts out and destroys DNA from invading viruses or phages. Reaction Enzymes first recognize the specific DNA sequences in phages or viruses and then cut the DNA at that site.
Agarose Gel creates groups of DNA which are separated by their size. DNA pieces are put into slabs of agarose gel which is then placed in a buffer solution. A current is sent through the agarose slab which causes the negatively charged DNA fragments to move toward the positive pole or anode. Inside the agarose gel slab, smaller DNA fragments can move more freely than larger ones, therefor smaller DNA fragments can travel further than large fragments.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Grassoline
For centuries, humans have used fossil fuels for various uses including transportation. Today we are still dependent on these non-renewable resources mainly for transportation. Many scientists are out to stop this finite cycle by creating bio fuels. In short, bio fuels can give us a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, and the cycle of consumption and production is endless.
A major component in the production of bio fuels are enzymes. Enzymes speed up the rate of chemical reactions and they are also renewable because they do not chemically react with the substrate. Enzymes reduce the energy needed to make a certain reaction take place. This in turn speeds up the chemical reaction to a much faster rate.There are many more variables that change the reaction rate; for example changes inn temperature can either increase or decrease the speed of the reaction. Heat speeds up the movement of substrate and enzyme molecules which speeds up the reaction.
Another component to bio fuel production is cellulose/cellulases. Cellulose is found in the cell wall of plants and is a source of sugar to cellulases. Cellulases is important because it speeds up the break down of cellulose to glucose. Us humans and many other animals are incapable of this process, so plants are our only hope in producing glucose in a fast and efficient way.
By producing bio fuels, we can lose our dependence on fossil fuels and therefor better the environment. Also many world conflicts concerning petroleum can be virtually diminished if we convert our system of fuel consumption.
A major component in the production of bio fuels are enzymes. Enzymes speed up the rate of chemical reactions and they are also renewable because they do not chemically react with the substrate. Enzymes reduce the energy needed to make a certain reaction take place. This in turn speeds up the chemical reaction to a much faster rate.There are many more variables that change the reaction rate; for example changes inn temperature can either increase or decrease the speed of the reaction. Heat speeds up the movement of substrate and enzyme molecules which speeds up the reaction.
Another component to bio fuel production is cellulose/cellulases. Cellulose is found in the cell wall of plants and is a source of sugar to cellulases. Cellulases is important because it speeds up the break down of cellulose to glucose. Us humans and many other animals are incapable of this process, so plants are our only hope in producing glucose in a fast and efficient way.
By producing bio fuels, we can lose our dependence on fossil fuels and therefor better the environment. Also many world conflicts concerning petroleum can be virtually diminished if we convert our system of fuel consumption.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Yogurt: Milk meets Bacteria
Introduction
Bacteria has been infecting humans and other life forms since the early 1800's. Although bacteria is know to cause a great deal of death and devastation, it can also promote life by bringing good health. Probiotics found in foods such as yogurt can actually help our digestive systems and further make us human more healthy.
Objective
Our Objective in this "Yogurt Lab" is to understand why bacteria is a vital element to human nature. Also, by doing this lab, we will know how to make delicious yogurt!
Procedure
We begin our yogurt lab by first obtaining four vials of milk. In each vial were several controls, such as Ampicilin, Yogurt mix, and E. Coli. We then mixed the ingredients together and let the substances sit overnight for 24 hours.
Hypothesis/Controls/Variables
I think that the vial with the yogurt-mix will be the only one to produce yogurt because the vial with the ampicilin with only kill the bacteria necessary to create yogurt. Also, i don't think the vial with E. Coli will not be effective to a certain extent.
Results/Observations
Our results came out as i had originally hypothesized. The vial containing the yogurt-mix was the only one to produce yogurt while the rest were still a milky-texture.
These results were not surprising to me, but there are sources of error that could have compromised our results such as; the amount of milk per vial, how much of each substance was mixed with the milk, the temperature of the substances etc.
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