Human DNA Extraction Lab

       In this lab we asked the question, " How can DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it?" I found out that DNA could be extracted from cheek cells. When adding detergent, salt, enzyme, and cold alcohol to my gatorade solution, I observed my DNA rising up to the surface of the alcohol layer. This observation helped strengthen the scientific ideas behind it from our lecture notes in each vodcast we were assigned in class. This data supports my claim because DNA extraction is the process of homogenization, lysis, and precipitation. When I added the enzyme to the gatorade solution, I saw faint activity in the mixture, but then I added the layer of alcohol which made the DNA in the test tube visible. The type of enzyme that was used in the experiment was protease. 
       While my hypothesis was supported by my data, there could have been errors due the lack of not scraping enough cheek cells for the gatorade mixture. This error affected my results because the was little DNA to be observed after adding the cold rubbing alcohol. I looked at other students' DNA and there were much larger chunks of the DNA to be recognized. Due to this error, in future experiments I recommend to get enough of one material that is needed for a lab test and I also recommend to stay completely focused on the lab and try your best not to get off task.
       This lab was done to demonstrate the steps for the extraction of DNA and strengthen our skills with DNA. From this lab I learned a lot about the main sequence that happens when DNA is extracted and how it works. This helps me understand the concepts and vocabulary for this unit. Based on my experience with this lab I can use this information to try this experiment at home. This concludes the Human DNA Extraction Lab.

Unit 4 Reflection

       In Unit 4, we learned about the cell cycle, the different types of reproduction, the significance of chromosomes and how they relate to genes and traits, what Gregor Mendel discovered and his laws, meiosis, and finally punnett squares. This unit was mostly about the importance of sex, and throughout this unit my strengths was of the content in chapter 14 which was mostly about chromosomes. Even though I understood chromosomes, chapter 11 was a struggle for me because there was a lot of information with vocabulary words that I didn't know. From these experiences I learned how to focus on the vocabulary and the definitions of each one which helps build my understanding of this unit. Making the infographic helped me greatly when it came to the specific details from the vodcasts. I want to learn more about meiosis and mitosis (cell cycle) because it is very interesting learning about what the human body does to function.
       After taking the VARK Questionnaire, I received a multimodal learning preference in which the most scored style for me was the Read/Write in which I scored a 9. My results did not surprise me at all because from past experience I studied with different learning styles and altogether I tested the same. Using my reading and writing preference, I can prepare for the unit test by making flashcards and rewriting what I didn't understand. This concludes my Unit 4 Reflection.

Coin Sex Lab Relate and Review

       In this lab, we determined the different alleles, from each parents gene, for offspring by first writing a monohybrid/dihybrid punnett square or by drawing gene segregation, then flipping coins and recombining the new traits. The coins in the lab served as the heterozygous or homozygous genotypes from both gametes, which they only have haploid of chromosomes. My expected results for the dihybrid cross simulation was that there was at least going to be 1 homozygous recessive (bbee, 1/16, blond hair with blue eyes), 3 brown hair and blue eyed offspring, 3 blond hair and brown eyed offspring, and 9 brown hair and brown eyed offspring.Though after completing the dihybrid cross experiment, the actual result was only 1/16 (bbee) of the offspring had the non-dominant trait. Creating punnett squares to determine the offspring traits is the limit of using probability to predict our offspring's traits because we cannot pin-point each trait for each offspring. Understanding this relates to my life because when I choose to have a child, I can determine the probability of my offsrping having a specific trait. I can see if there is a certain disease my child can have that might be autosomal inherited or X-linked inherited. I can also relate this experience with my passion for math when I was figuring out the probability of the offspring's trait. This concludes my Coin Sex Lab Relate and Review.

Genetics Infographic

Unit 3 Reflection

       In this unit, I learned about the cell theory, what the cell organelles are as well as their purpose, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. Our class has discussed many subjects throughout the time of learning Unit 3 and I understand clearly how a cell works for both an animal and a plant. Some essential understandings include the building blocks of a cell, their characteristics, how they react in different environmental conditions, and in different processes. My strengths in this chapter includes the history of cells and photosynthesis. My weaknesses are the organelles of the cells and cellular respiration. Though as a class, we worked diligently when doing labs and worked hard for the lecture notes.

       Comprehending the material for this unit was first difficult but now looking back at my notes, I now understand more on what I am having trouble with. The skills I learned throughout being a student in biology has improved more and more. Studying with my notes has become a simple routine each day. Finally being prepared with the material collected for the unit, passing the upcoming test will be a review for me. 

       I want learn more about the different purposes of the organelles inside a cell so I can enhance my skills and process the information when studying for the test. When I first looked at what we were learning for this, I had trouble with understanding cellular respiration and I still have a few issues with it. Hopefully I will answer this question as I soon look forward to the test. I wonder who made the names for the different building parts of the cell, I would like to research the person who did. My study habits include daily practice and quizzing for 30 minutes. This concludes the Unit 3 Reflection.

Egg Diffusion Lab Conclusion!

       In this lab we soaked an egg in deionized water and another egg in sugar water for 48 hours. Before leaving the fragile egg, my teammates and I took measurements of both eggs. We calculated the circumference and the mass. After waiting for the initial time, we analyzed our final observations and measured the circumference and mass again. Finally, everyone in the class shared their percent change of both solutions.
       Looking at the class data, the mass and circumference of the egg decreased due to the egg's hypertonic environment (sugar water). Taking a closer look inside the egg, the water inside leaves to go to a "high-low" concentration, though the solute outside can not enter due to being too big. This situation leads to the egg shriveling up since there is a smaller solvent inside.
       When the egg is being added to vinegar, later the shell of the egg will dissolve and the membrane becomes visible. This procedure needs to happen to complete thee lab in which now the possibilty of changing the cell  is attainable. Now when the egg is added to the solute, the egg will adapt and passive diffusion may occur throughout the egg.
       This lab demonstrates a biological principle which is the process of diffusion. Diffusion spreads particles in a faster manner throughout the cell membrane.
       When salting the roads, the plants will start to shrivel up due to being in a hypertonic environment. Though, when there are plants in grocery store, the fresh vegetables are sprinkled with water to keep a hypotonic environment for them which will make the plants more happy.
       Based on this experiment, I will use this information to test an egg in different conditions, and to test if the change is hypotonic or hypertonic. These tests will help my knowledge in ddiffusion, hypotonic, and hypertonic.

The Sp-EGG-tacular Macromolecules Lab Conclusion!

       In this lab we asked the question, "Can macromolecules be identified in an egg cell?". My teammates and I found out that some macromolecules will be present in different parts of the egg than others. For the polysaccharide test, results of adding iodine will turn the egg solution from brown to black. The egg membrane turned black so we gave it a 10 out of 10 for the color change. We concluded that polysaccharides are present in the egg membrane because there are carbohydrates on the surface of the cells. As for the egg white in the protein test, macromolecule will be present when the solution turned from blue to purple, it changed to a dark blue from the light blue. Based on previous knowledge egg white has the macromolecule, protein, located in there. As for a conclusion on quantitative data, my group and I gave it a 5, unsure for what happened in the test. In an egg, the embryo, aka the yolk, will eat the egg white because it is a protein that will help develop the organism. Finally, when my teammates and I tested the egg yolk for the lipid test, it turned from red to orange which meant that the macromolecule, lipid, is present in the egg yolk. For a final analysis, the transparent membrane surround the egg yolk is made of phospholipids. This information came from our lecture notes and lab. All of this data supports our claim because our class tested which macromolecules are present and we all discussed which ones are found in the different parts of the egg.
       While our hypothesis supported our data, there could have been errors due to the protein test in which there was not enough egg  in the test tubes so that test had to be re-tested. There was another possible error due to contamination when mixing the egg solutions with the same tool. Due to these errors, in the future experiments I would recommend to pay attention to what you are doing and double check with the instructions to see if you are doing the lab right.
       This lab was done to specify the the macromolecules in a more visual understanding way. From this lab I learned the the construction of an egg and the reasoning behind the macromolecules which helps me understand the concept of molecules and their purposes. Based on my experience from this lab I will use the data I have recieved and use that information to test other biological concepts.