Intro to Mitochondrial DNA

In Mendelian genetics the offspring of a mother and father should theoretically be 50% mom, 50% father, but in reality this is not true. The mother contributes more in her oocyte with additional organelles and extra DNA in the form of Mitochondria. Mitochondria contains an extra 37 genes and produces the energy the cell needs to function in the form of ATP.
Mitochondria is hypothesized to have originally come from bacteria that was swallowed up by the early cells that eventually became all plants and animals. Mitochondria is interesting because it accumulates mutations approximately 10 times the rate of nuclear DNA. Through this fact scientists have traced human DNA back to Africa 200,000 years ago to a single female. Using mitochondrial DNA is helpful in tracing samples of DNA from a long time ago, or a very weak sample, and can be determined easier by the thousands of the mutations.
In this experiment, PCR is used to amplify a 440 nucleotide sequence within the control region of the mt genome. Cycles are much shorter because a sequence is amplified several thousand times with a nuclear sequence with only two copies. Once again we shall be taking cheek cells obtained from our mouths by chewing gently but vigirously. A salt solution is used once again and then the cells are centrifuged and boiled,. The supernatent DNA solution is combined with buffered solution of Taq polymerase, primers, DNTP building blocksl and MgCl2. It is then placed in a thermal cycler

Intro to Mitochondrial DNA

Results/Observations Genetic Disease

This lab was pretty successful looking around the room I saw that only one group had messed up, and this was due to leaving the electrophoresis machine on too long. The results of my table illustrated that everything was done properly, the control illustrated gel electrophoresis worked, the homozygous controls and heterozygous control illustrated the bands that should be seen and were easily comparable to that of mine, Saba's and Daniel's.  The results about the "disease" included the majority of the class as either carriers or diseased. I was personally lucky to be one of the few that did not have the intron, that in reality does not do a whole lot, at least that we know of. I believe this lab was done effectively and I believe reinvigorates me to hopefully take genetic tests in the future in which I could then appropriately assess my risks, and work towards overcoming/ disproving that we are predestined for anything. I hope others understand that the arguement about nature versus nurture is ridiculous, as in everything their is no black or white, we are who we are because of a complex mixture between genetic determination and the society around us including, exposures to environmental sources.

Disease Gene Lab Intro

Kary Mullis at Cetus Corporation created Polymerase Chain reaction in 1983. PCR is used to create a large amount of DNA in a test tube in order to be able to use it to identify specific genes and spots of interests. Any DNA sample can be used and mass produced such as a drop of blood or hair follicle. DNA  can be used to identify crime victoms, medical diagnosis etc. In this lab we will start on day one by taking DNA from our body such as a cheek swab after rinsing with a salty solution that is than transferred to a test tube. The test tube shall be heated up to over 95 degrees and instagene matrix shall be added so that DNase shall not break up the DNA that we want. This happens for 5 minutes after an incubation period of 10 minutes at 56 degrees celsius.
Next Polymerase Chain Reaction is used to amplify DNA by started with a template, mixing in individual deoxynucleotides, DNA polymerase, Magnesium ions as a catalyst, ogligonucleotide primers, and salt buffers. Copies are made doubling each cycle until there are millions of copies of the same strand of DNA. PCR begins in the denaturation step in which the mixture is heated to 94 degrees celsius for 1 minute seperated the double strand. Next the annealing step has oligonucleotide prmers attach to the complementary strands and ast as primers for polymerae making new complementary strands at 60 degrees celsius. Next the extension step adds the nucleotides to the primer actually making the complementary strand at 72 degrees celsius. These steps form one cycle usually has 40 cycles.
There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human genome with about 30k to 50k genes. The other 95 percent is noncoding DNA. In this activity we are lokking for the Alu element in the PV92 intron region. On the gel if both the inserts move at the same speed then they are both either dominant and will show by being slower, or recessive and be the same but moved farther up. If they are one of each then they are a mixture in which in theory if it was a disease the dominate would over ride and they would be a carrier.