Case Of The Crown Jewels Template (Page 9 of 28) in pdf

Case Of The Crown Jewels Template Page 9

Case of the Crown Jewels

Laboratory Explanation

NOTE: MdBioLab will supply all reagents, equipment and instruction for the laboratory activity for groups visiting the

mobile lab. Teachers and students will be required to supply their own goggles and copies of the following handouts:

Micropipette Challenge

Page 16

Data/Observation Sheet

Page 17

If a teacher would like to perform this laboratory activity in their classroom, information on preparing the solutions is

included at the end of this document.

The purpose of the laboratory component of this unit is to apply the concepts developed in the pre-laboratory

to use DNA restriction analysis to determine if one of the two suspects were at a fictitious crime scene. The

objectives of the laboratory component are as follows:

Model the process of DNA restriction analysis

Perform a restriction digest and electrophoresis

Analyze the results of the competed DNA gels

Before proceeding with the laboratory investigation, it is necessary to make a logical connection to the concepts

developed in the pre-laboratory. In doing so, the laboratory component becomes a tool in the continuum of an

ongoing problem rather than an isolated end in itself. The transitional activity that follows links the pre-

laboratory concepts to the ensuing laboratory investigation.

Developing the concept for the technique

Describe a crime scenario to the class with one crime sample and two suspects.

Present three

microcentrifuge tubes with DNA from the crime and two suspects. Ask the class how DNA can be used to

obtain evidence in the case. Pursue a line of questioning which facilitates a discussion of how the DNA

samples can be differentiated, i.e. “How are we going to distinguish one DNA sample from another?”

Students should be reminded to reflect on the pre-laboratory exercise. Ask whether students can tell if

either suspect’s DNA is the same as that found at the crime scene by visually inspecting it. Because the

samples look exactly alike, a tool is needed to determine if either of the samples could match that found at

the crime scene.

Case of the Crown Jewels

Page 7

Case Of The Crown Jewels Template Page 9