For this lab we were using common practices used by crime scene investigators to learn about genetics and the biological aspect of their work. The lab treated us like we were trainees by giving us clues and we had to make the evidence relevant to the case and eventually try and convince a mock judge to give a warrant to arrest our suspect.
Evidence of work
For this project, as we found evidence and tested it, we took notes in a packet and folder we were given. From there we needed to organize it to present to our judges. We did so by making a presentation. It is shown below.
Content and Vocabulary used:
While doing this project/lab we had to use a bunch of new processes and new vocabulary to explain what we were observing.
Processes Used:
Finger Printing: Using an imprinted pattern left by a someone's finger to look at the structure and patterns to identify a person. (Everyone has their own personally unique finger print). Ink Chromatography: The process of breaking down the mix that creates a certain ink. In our case it was to break down the color composition of a black ink and match it to ink found at the crime scene. It allows you to match the pen used to write a note. Use of A Pedegree: A family pedegree allows someone to look at an entire family's history all in one place to see relationships between people and to also follow any traces of genetic disorders and any deaths within the family. DNA Finger Printing: If any genetic material is found at the crime scene i.e the blood that we found, you can use DNA replication to create sufficient samples to test and compare to that of a suspect to match the DNA found just like their fingerprint. DNA Replication: A process in which you divide DNA then create semi-conserved copies of the DNA as many times as you want. You can also use this to focus on important features of the person's genes. Like to test for genetic disorders and such because you make them more prominent.
Other Important Vocab
Genetic Vocab Alleles: The variations of a gene which make the gene being coded for either dominant or recessive. Dominant: The allele in which will always show in the phenotype for whatever the are coded for. For example, if a flower is coded as dominant red and recessive white, then the dominant gene will end up being the phenotype and the flower will only be red. Co-Dominant: When the phenotype being called for is coded by 2 equally inputted dominant genes. For example, in a flower if it is coded as dominant white and dominant red, the flower's phenotype will be white with red spots but they will be equally present. Recessive: The allele which will only show if both genes being called for are recessive themselves. Incomplete Dominant: When neither of the alleles are dominant which leaves the phenotype to be combined. For example, if a flower coded as recessive red and recessive white, then the outcome will be a pink flower. Genotype: The way that a gene is coded for. Phenotype: The way that a genotype is actually expressed onto the organism.
DNA Mutation - The types of DNA mutation Duplication: While in the process of being replicated, one of the letters of the DNA Sequence is repeated. Insertion: While in the process of being replicated, a base pair is inserted into the DNA sequence. Repeat: While in the process of being replicated, a slippage of DNA which causes more copies than normal to be made and expressed. Deletion: While in the process of being replicated, the polymers slips and forgets to scan a base pair. This causes the DNA sequence to be missing a base pair. Nonsense: While in the process of being replicated, a stop codon that is coded for prematurely which makes it stop building that protein. Frameshift: An umbrella term for when amino acids are misread, or not read at all when building a protein which leads them to be nonfunctional. Substitution: While in the process of being replicated, a new base pair is substituted in for the original which will cause a mutation. Misscense: While in the process of being replicated, a single nucleotide is change which means the codon is for an entirely new amino acid which codes for a different protein.
Reflection:
This project was very interesting and I liked how it showed us how what we were doing was relevant to the real world and a more uncommon occupation. My group and I did very well to complete all of the steps on time and generally keep it organized, so when it came time to present our evidence we just had to transfer it onto our slides. I think my work ethic for this project was probably the best it had ever been but I lacked more empathy. In the next project, I am going to keep my work ethic high and good but also make sure that I am more empathetic to what sicknesses and other issues that my group members have going on and are experiencing.