Gel Electrophoresis

How long does DNA staining take?

30 minutes

What is gel electrophoresis?

A way to sort and measure DNA strands

How do you know for certain that the gel electrophoresis apparatus is working once turned on?

Air bubbles are coming out of the electrodes

How should the cords be placed to move DNA through the gel?

Black cord should be closest to the wells

What six ways can we get a human DNA sample?

Blood, skin, hair, tissue, saliva, other bodily fluids

What is DNA fingerprinting used for?

CSI, solving mysteries, relations between organisms

Why is gel electrophoresis necessary? (size)

DNA is so small, most microscopes can't see it

What is agarose?

Dried powder similar to gelatin but made from seaweed

How are the bands on the gel formed?

During electrophoresis, the strands move and make sorted groups

What is the process used to identify individuals?

Gel Electrophoresis

What piece of equipment is used to create the DNA fingerprint?

Gel electrophoresis

How does ethidium bromide work?

It binds to DNA and shows up under a florescent light

Why must you add a DNA size standard to the gel?

It gives a reference to estimate the length of the DNA strands

What purpose does the comb serve?

It molds the gel into place

What is the buffer used for?

It will let the electrical charges flow through the gel

What two purposes does the loading buffer serve?

Makes sample easy to see Makes DNA sample thicker

What charge is in the gel where the strands are injected?

Negative

What is the charge associated with black cords?

Negative

What type of charge does DNA have?

Negative

Can you collect DNA from a Red Blood Cell? Explain.

No, no nucleus

What charge is in the gel opposite of where the gel is injected?

Positive

What is the charge associated with red cords?

Positive

What materials are needed to make a gel?

Powdered agarose, buffer, flask, microwave, gel mold, and comb

How is DNA cut?

Restriction Enzymes

What is the buffer?

Salt water

Which sized DNA strands show up farthest from the gel walls?

Short

Why must an electrical charge be applied to the gel?

So the DNA can move

What is ethidium bromide?

The DNA staining solution

What must be done to the gel in order to see the bands on the gel?

The gel must be stained

What must be considered when taking a hair sample for DNA?

The hair needs skin or root from