Candy Electrophoresis Lab

In this lab we used gel electrophoresis to see the dyes from candy. We did get dyes that were a different color than the reference bands. There weren't green ones in the reference bands. Our dyes did move in the wrong direction but that was only because we plugged in the power supply wrong. I think citrus red 2 would migrate like the dyes in our lab because it's very simple and short. Dog food manufacturers probably put artificial food colors in dog food to make it look more appealing to the owner. While the dog may not care, if the food is a pleasing color, it will catch some pet owners' eyes. The length of the strands and the power affect the distance the dye solutions migrate. The electric field helps move the dyes through the gel. The pores of the gel are what separates the molecules by size. The smaller ones move faster because they can get through easier. I would expect molecular weights of 600 daltons to move the furthest distnace, 1000 daltons in the far middle, 2000 closer middle , and 5000 daltons to not move much.

Recombinant DNA lab

The process for producing recombinant DNA is first to find a restriction enzyme that will cut the plasmid at one site and this same enzyme should be able to cut the cell DNA at two sites. Then we splice our insulin gene into the plasmid. Next we would add the enzyme ligase to glue the sticky ends together. We have now created a recombinant plasmdThere are different types of antibiotic resistances. Tetracycline, kanamycin, and ampiciliin are antibiotics which some plasmids provide resistance to it. I could use tetracycline and kanamycin to see if bacteria have taken in my plasmid because our plasmid doesn't have a resistance to those antibioics. I wouldn't use ampicillin because that is the antibiotic the plasmid is resistance to. Restriction enzymes are bacterial enzynes which are major tools of recombinant DNA techonology .We used Eco RI because it was the one closest to insulin and it cut the DNA twice. If I used an enzyme that cut the plasmid in two places, it wouldn't keep it's circular shape. This process is important in our everyday lives because it is essential to genetic engineering. It helps with diabetes by inserting the gene for insulin into a bacterial plasmid. This process can also be used to produce genetically modified food such as delaying fruit ripening and resistance to insects and plant viruses.

New Year's Goals

My goal for this year is to not procrastinate anymore with my homework. To achieve this I will try to do all the work I can on the first day rather than waiting till the last day. This will get me better quality work rather than rushed work that I put together on the last day. Another goal I have for this year is to sleep earlier and wake up earlier that way I won't get tardies.