Lab 1 - DNA Isolation - Professor Jocelyn Williams PDF

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Professor Jocelyn Williams...

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Lab 1: DNA Isolation ANTH 1010-A-W05

Prepared by Jenna Knight (#0646382) Prepared for Karl Racine & Dr. Jocelyn Williams January 17th, 2019

1. Describe, in your own words, the procedure you followed to extract DNA from your banana. Ensure that you identify and discuss where your group deviated from or modified the procedure outlined above. Our pureed banana mixture was already prepped and placed in a beaker for us. We placed a coffee filter over the opening of the empty beaker and secured it with a rubber band and poured the banana mixture over the filter. Because the mixture is so thick it didn’t run through the coffee filter easily. We waited approximately 15-20 minutes for the required amount of liquid to filter through the coffee filter. The liquid filtered was a similar consistency to water, however it did have the original brown tint to it that matched the colour of the original banana mixture. After our TA approved the amount of liquid we had in our beaker, we added 4 dots of the provided detergent with a toothpick to the liquid and stirred it until it was as well blended as we could get it. We then added the isopropyl alcohol slowly by pouring it down a spoon first to create a layer on top. After adding the alcohol, we could successfully see the banana DNA in the middle of the mixture, almost as if it was its own layer. 2. What step in the experiment was most critical to the successful extraction? Why? I think that the step most critical to successful extraction was adding the small amount of detergent. Without the addition of the detergent, the DNA would not be released into the solution because the lipids and proteins of cell would still be bonded, as described in the original lab procedure. [ CITATION Joc19 \l 1033 ] 3. Describe the appearance of the banana DNA. If you were unsuccessful in extracting DNA use another group’s DNA for this description, but make sure you note that you are describing another groups DNA. After we added the alcohol, the DNA appeared as a white layer in the middle of the banana mixture, almost appearing to separate it right down the middle. It was a cloudy white colour, almost appearing to have some solids as well as liquids composing it. We could successfully pick it up with a toothpick, and it almost had a mucus-like texture. 4. What is the function of DNA and how does DNA relate to a gene? The function of DNA is to tell an organism how to develop and the functions it need to complete to survive, as well as containing genetic information that determines the traits and features an organism has. A gene is a long string of DNA that creates different proteins needed by the organism. 5. Is the DNA in a banana the same as the DNA in a human? No, the DNA between a human and a banana is not the exact same, however the structure and the general concept of DNA in general is similar. Genomes contain thousands of genes, and it is likely that some are similar, however if humans and banana had the exact same DNA, there would be no difference between the two parties. 6. Expand your knowledge, max length of 500 words (list word count at end of your response): A popular gift on the holiday wish list this year was ‘at-home’ DNA testing kits. I would like you to do some research online and locate a company that sells one of these kits (e.g., 23andMe) and then answer the following questions (10 points): a) Provide website for your kit and information (not part of word count) I chose the Health & Ancestry kit from 23andMe. This kit not only tells you about your ancestry and your heritage, but also conducts a multitude of health tests such as genetic health risks, general health traits, what health related genes you may possibly be a carrier for, and more. The website to reach the kit is https://www.23andme.com/en-ca/dna-healthancestry/

b) Briefly explain how the test is completed (e.g., the procedure) According to the 23andMe website, you choose which kit you would like and spit in the provided tube once the kit arrives in the mail. You mail it back to the 23andMe lab, and in 6 to 8 weeks you will be able to access your test results online. [ CITATION 23a19 \l 1033 ]. c) What happens to the DNA that the person provides (is the genetic data retained, is it anonymized? You might have to do a bit of digging to find out what the company does with the data. They don’t just send it off to the person and then destroy it - you might have to look in the terms and conditions section). According to the Privacy page on the 23andMe website, under the “Control: Your Choices” heading, they state that they give you the ability to choose “To store or discard your saliva sample after it has been analyzed”.[ CITATION 23a191 \l 1033 ]. It is also stated on the website that it upon sending your data in, it is stripped of any identifying information and assigned a random ID number to preserve your privacy. However, they also state that in the event of a data breach it is possibly for you anonymity to be removed.[ CITATION 23a191 \l 1033 ]. d) What sort of information does the test provide (e.g., what sorts of questions can it answer)? For this test in particular, it answers questions of geographical ancestry, genetic health risks and general wellness traits, as well as carrier traits which attempts to determine if you carried certain inherited conditions. [ CITATION 23a192 \l 1033 ]. e) What are some of the concerns with at home DNA testing? There are some great blogs/news articles that discuss this. Try to think about this about this from an anthropological perspective. One of the most common concerns with at home DNA testing is the loos of privacy, no matter how many precautions are put into place by the providing companies. Because it is such a new industry, there is very few regulations put into place on who exactly “owns” the DNA after a certain point, and what the implications and rights are of this. [ CITATION ADM18 \l 1033 ]. Word Count Total: 242 words....