Microbial Genetics & Genetic Engineering
Access Code (located on the underside of the lid of your lab kit): Click here to enter text.
“Pre-Lab Questions”
1. Which DNA nitrogenous bases pair with each other? Which bases are purines, and which are pyrimidines? Click here to enter text.
1. How is DNA information used to make proteins? What are the steps of this process? Click here to enter text.
2. Give an example of a scenario in which you would perform PCR vs a scenario in which you would use recombinant DNA technology. Click here to enter text.
3. What occurs during each of the three steps involved in the PCR cycle? How has the use of PCR changed biotechnology? Click here to enter text.
4. How could you take a protein with a known sequence of amino acids and use it to create an artificial gene? Click here to enter text.
“EXPERIMENT 1: DNA Extraction
Post-Lab Questions
1. What is the purpose of the following reagents in the experiment?
a. Salt (in the DNA extraction solution): Click here to enter text.
b. Detergent (in the DNA extraction solution): Click here to enter text.
c. Ethanol: Click here to enter text.
2. What else might be in the ethanol/aqueous interface? How could you eliminate this? Click here to enter text.
3. What is the texture and consistency of the DNA? Click here to enter text.
4. Is the DNA soluble in the aqueous solution or in the alcohol? Click here to enter text.
Insert a photo of your DNA. Include your name and access code handwritten in the background of your photo.
“EXPERIMENT 2: Cloning a DNA Fragment to a Bacterially-Derived Plasmid Vector
Data Tables
Table 1: Fragment Lengths
| DNA Type | Longest Length (in base pairs) |
| Foreign | Click here to enter text. |
| Plasmid | Click here to enter text. |
Post-Lab Questions
1. What is the expected size of the plasmid plus the cut foreign DNA? Click here to enter text.
2. What type of ends do the enzymes BamHI and EcoRI produce? How does this type of end facilitate cloning? Click here to enter text.
3. What enzyme is necessary to permanently link the digested foreign and plasmid DNA together to form the recombinant DNA molecule? How does this enzyme work? Click here to enter text.
4. How would you clone a gene into a plasmid if there were no common restriction sites between the two DNA sequences? Click here to enter text.
