Learning Labs:   Molecular Biology

Goals:

to demonstrate how an understanding of DNA molecular structure and function can lead to technological advances that benefit society

to introduce students to the biotechnology involved in forensic investigations including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and bioinformatics

Objectives:

Students will:

make, pour, and run an agarose gel electrophoresis simulating a forensic lab investigation

review their knowledge of DNA molecular structure and expand their understanding through a discussion of exons, introns, and intergenic DNA, PCR, and bioinformatics

Target audience: Biology and Advanced Placement Biology students

Length of presentation: 2.5 hours

Maine Performance Indicators: This lab aligns with the following Maine performance indicators: A1, C2-5, D1, J1-3, K1-6, L1-3,7 and 8, M1,3, and 4, and is allied with Advanced Placement Biology Labs #2 and # 6.

Next: Forensics Lab