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.

    
     

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.