Vocabulary:
Here is some general genetics vocab that will help you understand our project better:
Gene: DNA that codes for a specific trait
Allele: a variation of a gene
Chromosome: a place where all genetic information is stored in a safe way
Central Dogma: the process where protein is synthesized - DNA - mRNA - Protein
Phenotype: how the traits are expressed
Genotype: the genetic makeup of traits - alleles
Homozygous: when the genotype has the same alleles
Heterozygous: when the genotype has different alleles
Dominant: the trait will always be expressed if present
Recessive: the trait needs to be homozygous to be expressed
Co-Dominant: one trait is not dominant over the other so phenotype is both
ex. AB blood type
Incomplete Dominant: when neither trait is dominant so the phenotype is a mixture of both
ex. Pink flowers
Gene: DNA that codes for a specific trait
Allele: a variation of a gene
Chromosome: a place where all genetic information is stored in a safe way
Central Dogma: the process where protein is synthesized - DNA - mRNA - Protein
Phenotype: how the traits are expressed
Genotype: the genetic makeup of traits - alleles
Homozygous: when the genotype has the same alleles
Heterozygous: when the genotype has different alleles
Dominant: the trait will always be expressed if present
Recessive: the trait needs to be homozygous to be expressed
Co-Dominant: one trait is not dominant over the other so phenotype is both
ex. AB blood type
Incomplete Dominant: when neither trait is dominant so the phenotype is a mixture of both
ex. Pink flowers
Our Project:
In this project we had to use our knowledge of genetics and crime investigating skills to solve a the murder of Carleton Comet. We were given a crime report and many different pieces of evidence. Through this project, we were able to learn skills such as ink chromatography, pedigrees, and many more. In the end, we had to determine the Carlton comet killer and their motive. We decided to share our information with the class using a slideshow. Outside of the project, we learned about DNA, including processes such as DNA replication and DNA structure.
Karyotypes:
A karyotype is a picture of a person's chromosomes and the makeup of a person's chromosomes. Throughout the project we used the karyotype for each suspect to learn more about the person and figure out who's blood was on the murder weapon. Listed bellow are all the disease the suspect had and all the disease we investigated.
XYY Jacob's Syndrome (males):
XYY Jacob's Syndrome (males):
- caused by a mutation and is not inherited
- leads to being taller, having learning problems, and weak muscles
- it is neither dominant nor recessive
- you have flat feet, seizures, and developmental delays
- caused by an extra 21st chromosome
- neither dominant nor recessive
- leads to shorter neck, upward slanting eyes, flattened facial profile, and poor muscle tone
- leads to less facial hair, more feminine body features, and a skinny body
Fingerprinting:
Ink chromatography:
Ink chromatography is a process for separating the different dyes used in inks. The ink is exposed to different solvents that dissolve or separate the dyes. It can reveal what is in the ink and what the ink is made up off. We used ink chromatography in our lab because some of the items found at the scene were pens and a note. This process allowed us to identify who wrote the note.
Vocab:
Vocab:
- Solvent: able to dissolve other substances
- Solute: gets dissolved by the solvent
- Mobile Phase: the liquid or gas phase of chromatography - movement occurs
- Stationary Phase: the solid phase of chromatography - movement stops
- Solvent Front: the moving front of the solvent were the separation occurs
- Polarity: increasing polarity of the solvent speeds up the process: polarity is the charge difference
- Solubility: the ability for a solute to dissolve in a solvent
Pedigrees:
A pedigree is a chart used to map out family history. They can be used to view the relation ships between family members and view how diseases are passed down. In our project we used the pedigrees from each suspects family to identify motives for committing the crime.
DNA Structure and Cell Replication
DNA is made up of a sugar phosphate backbone and nitrogen bases. Two nitrogen bases are known as a base pair. The nitrogen bases are held together by hydrogen bonds. The backbone is two strands that contain phosphate and sugar. The DNA chain is made up of nucleotide which have three parts: a nitrogen base, a sugar, and a phosphate group. There are four different nitrogen bases:
1. Adenine
2. Cytosine
3. Guanine
4. Thymine
1. Adenine
2. Cytosine
3. Guanine
4. Thymine
Cells replicate because cells die due to injuries such as a cut or they naturally die off when they are old. Cell replication can happen in haploid cell which contain on set of genetic material (sperm and egg cells) or in diploid cells which contain two sets of genetic material. All cells follow the cell cycle in order to replicate which has four steps:
G1: The cell continues to grow and prepares for cell division
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S: The DNA and genetic material is duplicated
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G2: The cell continues growth and duplicates any organelles necessary for replication
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M: Mitosis is when the cell physically divides
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*Throughout the cell cycle different checkpoints make sure the cell is ready to divide. The cell is able to check its work to find any possible mistakes.
DNA mutations:
During the process of DNA replication and synthesis mutations can occur. These mutations can lead to further issues later on in life. Mutations can change the function of a protein and make it function improperly. There are many different forms of DNA mutations. One example is repeat expansion. There is slippage during the replication of DNA which causes one section to be duplicated multiple times. This leads to functions being repeats which affects the way that the proteins function. One example of a disease caused by repeat expansion is Huntington's disease.
During the process of DNA replication and synthesis mutations can occur. These mutations can lead to further issues later on in life. Mutations can change the function of a protein and make it function improperly. There are many different forms of DNA mutations. One example is repeat expansion. There is slippage during the replication of DNA which causes one section to be duplicated multiple times. This leads to functions being repeats which affects the way that the proteins function. One example of a disease caused by repeat expansion is Huntington's disease.
Some other examples of DNA mutations include point mutations, nonsense, insertion, frame shift, DNA Duplication, missense, deletion, and point deletion mutations.
Reflection:
What went well during this project was our group's ability to get our work done in a quick and efficient way. We also stayed on task for most of the project. One aspect that went poorly was some of our communication with other group members outside of the classroom.
I learned that sometimes some work outside of the classroom is necessary to make a complete presentation. We did not feel like our presentation was ready so we were able to go in during break to work on it more and make it better. I also learned that when you focus you are able to complete a lot. When I stayed on task and didn't talk with others or do off task work I was able to complete a large amount of work in little time.
One thing I can work on next time is my ability to work on things before they are due. I normally find myself finishing my work at the last minute so I can work on planning out how much I have to do and the completing it over a long period of time. I can also improve on finding better ways to store information. i found that I was taking pictures of information I needed and it sometimes got cluttered. Next time I can find a better way to store information like creating a document to record it all in.
Some peaks from the project where when we were able to build our entire presentation in the time we were provided. We thought that we wouldn't have enough time but we found that when we focused and stayed on task we could complete a lot of work in very little time. A pit from the project was when we mixed up some of the family stories. The information that was given to us was confusing at some times because the suspects had complicated life stories so we could organize or data better next time.
I learned that sometimes some work outside of the classroom is necessary to make a complete presentation. We did not feel like our presentation was ready so we were able to go in during break to work on it more and make it better. I also learned that when you focus you are able to complete a lot. When I stayed on task and didn't talk with others or do off task work I was able to complete a large amount of work in little time.
One thing I can work on next time is my ability to work on things before they are due. I normally find myself finishing my work at the last minute so I can work on planning out how much I have to do and the completing it over a long period of time. I can also improve on finding better ways to store information. i found that I was taking pictures of information I needed and it sometimes got cluttered. Next time I can find a better way to store information like creating a document to record it all in.
Some peaks from the project where when we were able to build our entire presentation in the time we were provided. We thought that we wouldn't have enough time but we found that when we focused and stayed on task we could complete a lot of work in very little time. A pit from the project was when we mixed up some of the family stories. The information that was given to us was confusing at some times because the suspects had complicated life stories so we could organize or data better next time.