DNA Extraction Lab

What did we do?
First, we filled a beaker with 5 ml of liquid dish washing detergent, 0.75 of salt, and 45 ml of distilled water. Next, we rinsed the strawberry, put it in a plastic baggie and mashed it a ton. Then, we ran the contents through a filter to remove the big chunks. The liquid content dripped into a test tube. We then added an equal volume of ice cold alcohol to the test tube and began to slowly twirl the tube. A murky thick bubbly substance rose to the top of the solution in the test tube. This thick bubbly substance was the DNA.

Why did we do what we did?
The original crushing of the strawberry was essential because it increased the surface area and began to break down the membranes that are protecting the DNA.
The extraction buffer served the role of further breaking apart the phospholipid membranes. Also, because of the negative charge of the DNA, the salt was able to go in and break down the super phosphate groups, and separate the DNA. Also, this makes it less soluble in water. Making it so that it does not want to be with the rest of the water.
I am not sure why the alcohol was added, but my hypothesis is that it contributed by somehow combining with the DNA and is less dense than water, therefore making it float.

I want to continue to research this to learn how exactly this works. Anyway, it was super cool that we were able to separate the DNA from a fruit that I an familiar with, and I look forward to learning more about the processes of DNA.

Mitosis Lab

Here is the link to my worksheet. It has my image of each stage as well as the table. I will answer the questions on this blog:

Mitosis Lab Handout

1. It is more accurate to call mitosis "nuclear replication" because all of the steps involve the duplication of the DNA and does not really involve the splitting of any other organelles.

2.  These were selected for study because it is super easy to see the chromosomes in their cells and see what they are doing.

1. If I wasn't only looking at the top, there would be a lot more in interphase because that is where they are not really doing anything and are not trying to split. In the rest, they are not going to split, so it will be all interphase.

2. I can infer that each phase takes less and less time as it gets closer and closer to actually duplicating the DNA.

What Is Cancer?

1. How is a cancer cell different than a normal cell?
2. How has cancer treatment evolved as scientists have learned more about cancer?
3. What steps can an individual take to prevent cancer?
4. Why has it been so difficult to find a cure for cancer?
5. What does Richard Klausner mean when he says cancer is like evolution in a bottle?

1. A cancer cell is different from a normal cell because of it's ability to be constantly transforming and mutating to become more and more immune to the drugs that you are trying to use to treat it. It mutates much more than a normal cell.

2. Cancer treatment has evolved as they learn more because as we begin to figure out how a cancer cell tends to mutate, we have learned how to better plan ahead and know the cells next move so that we can find it's weaknesses and ultimately kill it.

3. There are obvious things that an individual can do to prevent cancer: don't smoke, drink in moderation, wear sunscreen, don't be exposed to radiation. But ultimately there is nothing that anybody can do to be completely immune to cancer because we don't know what causes 40% of cases of cancer.

4. It has been so difficult to find a treatment for cancer because the cell is constantly mutating and evolving. It is nearly impossible to treat something that is always rejecting what you are trying to use.

5. When he says that a cancer cell is like evolution in a bottle he means that there have been so many evolution in the world that have made it into what it is. Imagine all of those evolution in one compact space all happening at the same time. Now imagine that for eternity. That is what a cancer cell is like. That's what he is trying to say.

I am happy that we covered such a pressing topic in today's world and I look forward to learning more about cancer in the future.

Cytoplasmic Streaming

First off, here is a link to a video that shows the chloroplasts moving inside of the elodea leaf cells.

Cytoplasmic Streaming

Additionally, here is a micrograph from when we looked at the elodea leaf cells on Tuesday.

What components of the cell theory were visible in the leaf?

          The part of the cell theory that you can really see in the video and the micrograph is that, as it states on page 156 of BSCS Biology: A Molecular Approach Ninth Edition, "Cells or products made by the cells, are the units of structure and function in organisms."
          When I first looked into our microscope and saw these images, I could not help but be astounded by how each cell fits together perfectly, creating the stability and structure that most plants have. It was super easy to see this due to the visible cell walls that set themselves apart by being extremely obvious to see.
          Something else that really stands out to me when I look at an image of these cells is how easy it is to hypothesize that the cells are filled with liquid (cytosol). I can tell that there is liquid inside of the cell because it is super easy for the chloroplasts to move and transport themselves from one spot to another.
          Finally, the last big thing that is easy to tell by looking at these images is that there is a central vacuole. We can tell that there is one in each of the cells because it is easy to notice that there are no chloroplasts in the middle of the cell. Instead they are pushed to the edges and are restricted to only moving near the cell wall.
          In conclusion, we can really learn a lot about cells by simply looking at them with a microscope and I look forward to being able to look further into cells.

Thoughts on Bio Honors 12-9-16

          Honestly, that yesterday test was super hard. It was especially hard for me because I had a hard time focusing since I had just used most of my brain power on the test that I had had the previous period. The test that I had in math was a long test that was challenging, so I had put a ton of focus and effort into it. When I went into your class, I felt like my brain needed a break. It was so so so hard to focus, and I feel like I made at least a few stupid mistakes on that test.

          With the stress of finals starting to build, this test really didn't help at all. I was hoping that it would be an easier test so that I could have a better grade going into finals, but it was really quite the opposite. Although I have learned a ton of Biology in your class, it would be nice to get an A in your class, especially because it is an honors class, but that hope that I have been working for all semester is slowly drifting away. 

          I wish that I could just not care about my grades, and want to go to school to gain knowledge. I enjoy learning, because most of what I learn is fascinating, but the need to get good grades is always lingering in my brain, and I do not know what to do about it. Colleges look at grades, and it has be embedded in my brain that I need to get into a good college to be successful, and that thought is not going away any time soon. 

          What really frustrates me is the kids who can get good grades without working for them. Not to call anybody out, but there are some kids who do not even need to study and can get good grades without even trying. I train for sports 3 hours a day, and usually do homework or study until midnight, and then I get up at 6 every day, just to start it all over again. It is so unfortunate that grades have become what my generation strives for, but it is not going to change, I guarantee you that.

          Once again, thanks for giving me the opportunity to write these entries for extra credit. Thanks for helping me look deeper into myself. Thanks Mr. Wong!

Thoughts on Bio Honors 12-8-16

          In Bio today, you gave us a final lecture regarding cell respiration. You touched on Glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and you went in depth into the Electron Transport system. You also counted the amount of energy that cell respiration gets from food, and you proved to us that our bodies are super efficient in getting energy out off the food that we eat. Although we are super efficient, we could be even more efficient because some energy escapes as head, contributing to energy becoming more and more disorganized.

                                           Here are the notes that I took during class today.

          It continues to blow my mind that we know what happens inside these tiny cells. It is still incredible to me.

Thoughts On Bio Honors 12-6-16

          Today you taught me something bigger than Biology. Bigger than me. People must respect each other, or else they do not get along. To me, this theme goes right along with racism. The theme that we cannot get along due to disrespect or judging somebody by the color of their skin in my opinion is super similar. In both situations, this not getting along turns into something more, depriving others or success. With racism one act leads to the lack of confidence of one person, this leads to the lack of confidence in the people around them. These emotions spread contagiously to everybody around this person, ultimately leading to the deprivation of success for others. In our class, one students lack of respect almost turned into the entire class getting screwed over of the test and the extra credit.
          Although, I did learn one other thing, perhaps more important. If you are a man, and stand up for your actions, you can not only benefit yourself but others. I learned something huge today: we all mess up. Everyone does it. Famous men throughout history mess up. But you can always fix it if you stand up for it and show that you are owning up to it.

Mr. Wong, that lesson is so important to me. Thanks so much for teaching me. I'm not trying to kiss up to you right now, I promise, but you are the most influential teacher I have ever had. You have made me want to be a lawyer to fight for the rights of the people. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I started doing these blog posts thinking that it would be some nice extra credit, but it has actually helped me look into myself.