Unit 6 Reflection

In this unit we learned about biotechnology and genetic modification. Biotechnology is divided into four fields: agricultural, industrial, medical, and forensics. Because humans can now modify organisms in so many ways, we also learned how to make ethical decisions on biotechnological topics. To make an ethical decision, you must first understand the choices and list pros and cons. Then find a decision that fits your morals most. The core of this unit was with recombinant DNA, electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA sequencing. Recombinant DNA is when genetic material is taken from different organisms and inserted into the DNA of a target organism. Electrophoresis allows scientists to separate DNA based on strand length. Polymerase Chain Reaction creates many copies of a strand of DNA, giving scientists the ability to examine the strands much more closely. To sequence genes, there are many possible techniques. One of them involves fluorescent dyes binding to bases depending on what base it is. Computer programs then examine the pattern of fluorescent dyes, telling the scientists what the genetic code is.

This unit had some very interesting information, although while writing this reflection I did need to go back and check on some stuff in the vodcasts. This means that I need to study from the bioethics and technologies of biotechnology vodcasts to prepare for the test.

One thing I really loved in this unit was the labs. Unlike other labs I have done in school where the results are predictable and uninteresting, the candy electrophoresis lab and pGLO lab had amazing results. In the electrophoresis lab all of our dyes matched the standard ones, but another group that extracted a green dye saw it separate into its blue and yellow parts (http://rpbioloblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/candy-electrophoresis-lab-conclusion.html). Our plate of fluorescent bacteria from the pGLO lab had one of the highest colony counts in the class and it was cool seeing the E. Coli glowing in one petri dish but not in others. (http://rpbioloblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/pglo-lab-conclusion.html)

I would love to experiment with other traits and inserting them into E. Coli bacteria. I wonder whether adding too many extra genes for protein creation will cause the bacteria to be unable to complete its basic life processes. In other words, will adding enough genes kill the bacterium.

I have failed to keep up to one of my new years goals while I have partially followed the other. At the start of the new year, I pledged to work on my textbook notes throughout the unit so I wouldn't have too much work on the day before it is due (aka today). I did not go through with this promise, probably due to the fact that I did not remind myself enough. Now on, I will set a weekly reminder on my phone to work on my textbook notes. I also said I will study 3 times a week for math to get at least 90%. Although I do not have specific study sessions, whenever I do my math homework I also go over all of my notes from that day and from the rest of the module.

Recombinant DNA where we used restriction enzymes to insert the insulin gene into a plasmid

http://rpbioloblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/recombinant-dna-lab.html

Candy electrophoresis lab where we extracted dye from candies to compare them to 4 standard dyes by using electrophoresis

http://rpbioloblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/candy-electrophoresis-lab-conclusion.html

pGLO lab where we made E. Coli bacteria absorb plasmids containing the GFP gene.

http://rpbioloblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/pglo-lab-conclusion.html