Genetics

Super Crop

In this particular project, our role revolved around assuming the responsibilities of farmers contracted by a private food supply company. Our objective was to develop an exceptional crop with advantageous qualities that could be offered by the company without resorting to controversial genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Drawing upon our understanding of genetics and heredity, we aimed to convincingly illustrate why our crop was the superior choice compared to that of a neighboring farmer.

Our primary focus centered around three crucial traits: drought resistance, pest resistance, and frost resistance. Among these attributes, we determined that drought and pest resistance held particular significance. By endowing our crop with these traits, we aimed to enhance its ability to withstand the challenges posed by pests and water scarcity, which are frequently observed in regions like California. While pesticides can provide some measure of defense against pests, they are unable to shield the crop from cold temperatures or extended periods of drought. This distinction becomes even more critical in areas such as California, which has faced several drought episodes in recent times.

Taking into consideration that pest resistance could be effectively managed through human intervention, our logical course of action was to prioritize traits governed solely by nature. Consequently, we focused our efforts on developing drought and frost resistance, as these traits offered the greatest potential for survival and overall benefits to the crop.

To achieve the desired traits, we employed a meticulous breeding strategy spanning three generations. Below, you can find the genotypes of the first generation:

Father: AARr

Mother: Aarr

In conclusion, our decision to prioritize drought and pest resistance over frost resistance stemmed from the realization that these traits are less susceptible to human influence or manipulation. By instilling our crop with resilience against challenging weather conditions, we ensured the provision of a reliable and marketable product to the food supply company.

Murder Mystery

During a picnic organized by an individual who had recently changed their identity after being released from jail, a devastating incident unfolded. The person, now known as Carleton Comet, was fatally stabbed with a steak knife at precisely 7:35pm. Sadly, by 8:00pm, Carleton Comet was pronounced dead. Our project centered around meticulously investigating the murder of Carleton Comet, utilizing a range of evidentiary elements to uncover the truth. These pieces of evidence encompassed a fingerprint, a written note, and blood samples collected from the crime scene.

Initially, a fingerprint was discovered at the scene, and upon meticulous examination, it was determined to solely match the fingerprint pattern of Nancy Normal. Additionally, a written note containing the chilling message, "You are a dead man," was carefully scrutinized. Through ink analysis, it was unequivocally established that the note had been written using a pen belonging exclusively to Nancy Normal. Furthermore, two distinct blood samples were found on the murder weapon. The first blood sample, exhibiting a complete match in terms of both blood type and DNA sequence, unequivocally identified Carleton Comet as the source. Conversely, the second blood sample displayed a complete match in blood type and DNA sequence exclusively with Nancy Normal. This identification was achieved through the application of electrophoresis, comparing the blood samples against those of all potential suspects.

After meticulous consideration of all the gathered evidence, it was concluded that Nancy Normal was the perpetrator. However, our investigation uncovered that Fred Flimmer had influenced Nancy to carry out the heinous act. Fred's motivation stemmed from Carleton Comet's previous involvement in the murders of Fred's sister and aunt.

In our comprehensive lab report, an array of scientific techniques and analyses were meticulously employed to derive our conclusions. These included karyotype matching, DNA fingerprinting gel, pedigrees, blood type matching, fingerprint matching, and ink chromatography. By employing scientific reasoning and presenting a concise paragraph outlining our findings, we provided a comprehensive analysis that substantiated our identification of the killer in this tragic event.

pKiwi

Our experimental endeavor aimed to deepen our comprehension of the term "genetically modified organisms" (GMOs) by employing genetic engineering techniques to generate our own modified organisms. Specifically, we employed the bacterial transformation technique, enabling the introduction of desired traits into bacterial cells. Our primary goal was to unravel the cause-and-effect dynamics underlying transformed bacteria cells, elucidating the mechanism by which new traits are generated and constructing a scientific model to depict this process.

To exemplify the concept of genetic engineering, we explored various product examples resulting from this technology, such as golden rice and hamlin. For our experiment, we opted to create a genetically modified organism consisting of bacteria capable of emitting a green glow. This was accomplished by incorporating Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) into E. coli bacteria, instigating the production of luminescent bacteria.

Outlined below are the essential steps followed in our experimental procedure:

1. The bacteria and a plasmid containing the desired genetic material were combined in the presence of a CaCl2 solution.

2. The mixture underwent a process known as heat shock, involving exposing the cells to a swift temperature alteration.

3. Following heat shock, the transformed cells were provided with a nutrient-rich broth to facilitate their growth and proliferation.

4. Finally, we spread the transformed bacteria onto agar plates containing both nutrients and an antibiotic. This facilitated the selective isolation of genetically modified bacteria while excluding any non-transformed cells.

By meticulously executing these experimental stages, we aimed to unravel the intricacies of genetic engineering, enabling us to expand our knowledge and contribute to the scientific understanding of GMOs.

Content:

Chromosome: A structure that contains genetic information in a cell, storing it securely.

DNA: The molecular code that carries all the instructions for the functions and traits of an organism.

Gene: A segment of DNA that encodes for a specific trait or characteristic.

Allele: Different variations of a gene that can exist within a population.

Phenotype: The observable characteristics or traits of an organism, resulting from the expression of its genes.

Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism, including the combination of alleles for specific traits.

Homozygous: When an organism has two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Heterozygous: When an organism has two different alleles for a particular gene.

Dominant: A trait that is expressed when at least one copy of the associated allele is present.

Recessive: A trait that is only expressed when two copies of the associated allele are present.

Co-Dominant: When both alleles of a gene are equally expressed, resulting in a phenotype that combines traits from both alleles.

Incomplete Dominance: When neither allele is completely dominant over the other, resulting in a phenotype that shows a blending of traits.

Trait Expression: The process by which DNA sequences are translated into physical traits through protein synthesis.

Karyotype: An organized arrangement of an organism's chromosomes based on their number, size, and shape.

Pedigree: A graphical representation of an individual or family's genetic ancestry, often used to track inherited traits or diseases.

Allergen: A substance that triggers an allergic reaction in individuals hypersensitive to it.

Clone: An exact genetic replica of an organism, cell, or gene, created through a replication process.

Gene Cloning: The technique of producing multiple copies of a specific gene, isolating and identifying it.

Gene Therapy: A treatment approach that aims to replace or modify defective genes to treat or prevent diseases.

Genetic Engineering: The manipulation of genetic material in the laboratory, involving gene isolation, recombination, and transfer between species.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO): An organism whose genome has been altered by introducing foreign DNA through genetic modification techniques.

Mutagen: A substance or agent that can induce genetic mutations or chemical changes in DNA.

Stem Cells: Cells that have the potential to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types in the body.

Reflection 

Throughout these 3 projects, I acquired extensive knowledge about the concept of genetics, including its practical applications in the real world. The labs and projects conducted in this unit enabled me to actively engage with genetic engineering and utilize Punnett squares for trait inheritance prediction.

Two areas where I excelled were collaboration and communication. Given the shorter duration of these projects and the involvement of diverse groups, effective collaboration was essential in ensuring their successful completion. I actively communicated and coordinated with my group, ensuring everyone was informed about our progress and contributed to the project's completion. Notably, a highlight of this unit was the successful execution of our pKiwi lab, where we achieved the creation of glow-in-the-dark bacteria with antibiotic resistance.

However, there are two areas in which I can improve: conscientious learning and critical thinking. Although we managed to finish all projects on time, some instances required accelerated efforts and resulted in time constraints. I need to enhance my time management skills to prevent similar situations from arising in the future. Additionally, I recognize the need to develop my critical thinking abilities. In the past, I primarily followed given procedures without fully comprehending their significance, as exemplified by my initial lack of understanding during the Pkiwi lab. To address this, I intend to conduct independent research to enhance my understanding of the lessons and establish clear time goals for improved planning.

While encountering challenges in fully comprehending the lab, I view it as a valuable learning experience. Moving forward, I will take proactive measures to enhance my understanding and ensure efficient time management, ultimately bolstering my overall performance in future projects.