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Introduction
Throughout the second semester of STEM Biology, there were three main projects that we did that covered most of what we were learning. Our STEM Biology class completes a lot of projects instead of tests, this allows for more group work and project oriented classes. The three projects we completed included; Supercrop, Murder Mystery, Pkiwi Lab. In the supercrop project we had to design a crop that we believe would thrive and last the longest my group chose drought resistant and pest resistant. In the Murder mystery lab we had to complete various crime scene techniques to try and figure out the murderer, Along with discovering motives and family connections. Finally in the Pkiwi Lab we were tasked with taking the Ecoli virus and adding solutions to transform it into a glowing bacteria. All of these projects will be gone into detail below:
Super Crop Lab
The Project
During this project we were tasked to act as farmers and create the best plant for company revenue. We had to use what we learned about genetics, punnett squares, crossing, and generations to create the most successful plant to ever exit. We were given three possible traits to enhance: Frost resistant, Pest resistant, drought resistant. We chose out plant to grow and flourish in the sacramento valley. Considering that its becoming hotter and hotter in california we chose drought resistant. We also believe nitrogen based pesticides will be banned in a act to save the planet and this will imply the need for pest resistance.
Evidence
Concepts
Recessive traits: Traits that are only expressed when an individual has two copies of the recessive allele.
Probability: The likelihood or chance of a specific event happening.
Inheritance: The passing on of genetic information and traits from parents to their offspring.
Alleles: Different forms or versions of a gene that occupy the same position on paired chromosomes.
Genotype: The genetic makeup of an individual, determined by the combination of alleles they possess.
Phenotype: The observable physical characteristics or traits of an individual resulting from the interaction between their genotype and the environment.
Dominant traits: Traits that are expressed when an individual has at least one copy of the dominant allele.
Heredity: The process of traits being transmitted from parents to their offspring through genetic information.
Selective breeding: The intentional breeding of organisms with desirable traits in order to produce offspring with those traits, leading to the modification or improvement of a particular species or breed.
Results
We found that our super crop if given the genotype AArr implying the presence of both drought and pest resistance would cause for a perfect plant for the region of the sacrament valley. The two options were the best for our region because of the every rising heat, having drought resistance would be crucial. Along with pest resistance because we think in a act to stop climate change and global warming the government would ban nitrogen based pesticides to help keep the rivers and soil clean.
Murder Mystery
The Project
Our task for this project was to complete a series Forensic experiments to figure out who the murder of Carleton comet was. Each one of the experiments involved added evidence to who the murderer is, a lot of them used DNA and the suspects tools to figure out who had the most evidence stacked against them. The experiments we completed were: Fingerprint analysis, Pen ink analysis, Blood type analysis, Karyotyping, DNA fingerprinting, Pedigree analysis, and Motive analysis.
Backstory:
Carlton comment a mad who originally went my thomas sand stone, was routed deep into each of the five suspects lives. (Nancy Normal, Theresa Terra, Fred Flimmer, Sam Sophomore, Glen Glee) Within some of the lives he not only killed family members but also ruined people like Nancy's aunt. He hosted a picknic in celebration and was subsequently murdered. There were two blood samples, finger prints, and notes found at the crime scene.
Evidance
Pedigrees
Using pedigrees we had to create a tree showing the relation ships between all of the suspects and there family. We gathered this info off of a paper that had all of the family relations and events that happend. Using this we could gather motives and connections. We concluded Nancy Normal had the most motives.
Blood samples
Using an antigen test we compared the suspects blood type to the two found at the crime scene, The two blood samples matched both Carlton comet and Nancy normal.
Pen Ink
Using Ink chromotology we found that the note belong to Nancy normal.
Fingerprinting
We used both DNA and finger, fingerprinting to help solidly the evidence. We collected a finger print found on glasses at the crime scene and discovered that it belonged to Nancy Normal. We also used DNA finger printing to compare the blood samples found a the crime scene to the suspects. The blood sample found at the crime scene were Carlton Comet and Nancy Normal.
Concepts
DNA Mutation: Change in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in genetic information and potentially impact traits or cause diseases.
Co-Dominance: Inheritance pattern where both alleles for a trait are expressed equally in the phenotype.
Alleles: Alternative forms of a gene that occupy the same position on paired chromosomes and determine variations in traits.
Gel Electrophoresis: Technique that separates DNA fragments based on their size using an electric current through a gel matrix.
Ink Chromatography: Method used to separate and analyze the components of a mixture, such as pigments in ink, based on their differential movement on a chromatography paper.
Karyotype: Visual representation of an individual's chromosomes arranged in pairs to analyze their number, size, and structure.
Forensic Science: Scientific discipline that applies scientific methods and techniques to investigate and solve crimes or legal issues.
Pedigree Chart: Diagram used to trace and illustrate the inheritance of traits or genetic disorders within a family across generations.
Blood Type: Classification of blood based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on red blood cells, determining compatibility for blood transfusions.
DNA Fingerprinting: Technique used to identify individuals by analyzing unique patterns in their DNA, often used in forensic investigations or paternity testing.
Chromosome: Thread-like structure made of DNA and proteins that carries the genes and genetic information in cells.
Incomplete Dominance: Inheritance pattern where neither allele for a trait is fully dominant, resulting in a phenotype that is an intermediate blend of the two alleles.
Huntington's Disease: Hereditary neurological disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of brain cells, leading to movement, cognitive, and emotional disturbances.
Chromosomal Disorders/Diseases: Genetic disorders caused by abnormalities or structural changes in chromosomes, leading to a range of physical, developmental, or intellectual impairments.
Results
In the end my group found out that Nancy Normal was the murderer of Carlton Comet, From the extensive motives to all the fingerprinting and tests pointing to her its very likely that she is the murderer.
Pkiwi Lab
The Lab
In this Lab we learned about GMOs and eventually genetically modified our own organism. We took a E-coli virus and modify it using pkiwi to create a glowing protein, this protein when resealed, made glowing E-coli. We also added a gene that made it resistant to ampicillin. Ampicillin being the antibiotic to E-coli.
Evidence
Concepts
Protein: Essential biomolecule that carries out important functions in living organisms, such as building tissues and chemical reactions.
Gene: DNA containing instructions for specific traits or characteristics passed from parents to offspring.
Ampicillin: Antibiotic commonly used in labs to kill bacteria that has a desired genetic modification.
Agar medium: Gel-like substance used to grow bacteria in a petri dish, providing a solid surface for their growth.
Fluorescence: Emission of light by a substance, often used in scientific research to visualize and study.
pKiwi: A plasmid engineered by labs that has a gene for antibiotic resistance (AmpR) and a gene for GFP. Eunice transformed bacteria so that it took in the pKiwi plasmid.
E. Coli: Bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals, frequently used in scientific experiments due to its rapid growth and well-studied genetics.
GMO (Genetically Modified Organism): Living organism whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology techniques to introduce specific traits.
Genetic Engineering: Process of manipulating an organism's DNA to modify its genetic makeup, often done to enhance desired traits.
Bacterial Transformation: Technique that enables bacteria to take up foreign DNA and incorporate it into their own genome, allowing for the introduction of new genes or modifications.
Plasmid: Small, circular DNA molecule separate from the main bacterial chromosome, commonly used in genetic engineering to carry and transfer specific genes between organisms.
GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein): Protein that naturally fluoresces green when exposed to certain light wavelengths.
Bacteria Culture: Population of bacteria that has been grown in a controlled environment.
LB (Luria Broth): Nutrient-rich liquid commonly used to culture bacteria in the lab, providing the necessary nutrients for their growth.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): Molecule that carries the genetic instructions necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms.
mRNA: Molecule transcribed from DNA that carries the genetic code from the nucleus to the ribosomes, where it is translated into proteins.
Trait: Observable characteristic or feature of an organism influenced by its genetic makeup. Traits can include physical attributes, behaviors, or other noticeable characteristics.
Results
At the end of the Lab we successfully cultured and created a glowing, anti ampicillin E-coli bacteria. This bacteria was pared with a control bacteria that help solidify our finds.
Reflection
All three of the projects were fun and engaging projects that helped me better understand the material we were being taught. In the super crop Lab we were able to use the genetic crossing of the parent crops to gather information about the possible offspring along with adding our own touch of creativity in being able to decide what traits we believe will be most helpful for the plant. Within the Super Crop Lab i thought that I was a good consensus learner as I took into account what my team mates wanted to pick and we were also great collaborators as we split up the workload evenly, I was able to grow closer to my team mates while also creating the most powerful crop. As an individual I could have worked on being a better communicator and a better critical thinker. At times during this project i thought that I was not heard fully or my ideas were "sound" enough, so finding out at way to critically think of a better way and successfully communicate it to my partners would help me grow as a person. During the Murder mystery and the Pkiwi Lab I was both a great communicator and a great critical thinker. I helped my group discover the murderer and make a glowing bacteria, But I could have been a better collaborator as I though that the people in my group could have done more work. I could have also been a better communicator to help get my team mates to motivate and help.
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