SKills & Class Topics
5 Lab Skills:
- Crime Scene Investigation: 1.1.4 The Evidence: Identifying an Unknown Substance
- Gel Electrophoresis: 1.2.3 Gel Electrophoresis
- Calorimetry: 2.2.4 How Much Energy is in Food?
- Graph Experimental Data Using Logger Pro: 1.1.5 Time of Death
- Use Inspiration Software: Activity 1.1.1 A Mysterious Death
1. Crime Scene investigation: 1.1.4 The Evidence: Identifying an Unknown Substance
This crime scene skill is the ability to identify unknown substances by using chemical indicators in lab. This skill involves careful observations when adding chemical indicators to different known substances. Afterwards you then use the data collected and reasoning to determine which substance matches the one found at the crime scene. This is an important skill to have in the forensic science field as it can provide valuable evidence in solving the mystery of a crime. In our case we figured out that it was aspirin. |
- 2. Gel Electrophoresis: 1.2.3 Gel Electrophoresis
This skill is the ability to use gel electrophoresis to separate DNA for analysis. In our lab we use an online simulation of the lab to learn about how gel electrophoresis works in real life with the expensive technology. In our activity we had to recognize locations were there was a certain pattern/length and then we cut the paper DNA and graphed it to determine the DNA at the crime scene. This is exactly what happens at the micro level when the DNA gets pulled through a gel filter by its electrical charge and then gets cut at certain patterns/lengths. This skill is important for the forensic science field as it can help investigators get a clue as to whose DNA was at the crime scene. It can also be useful for DNA profiling and genetics. |
- 3. Calorimetry: 2.2.4 How Much Energy is in Food?
The skill shown here is the ability to find out how much energy is in a piece of food. In our lab we chose a peanut and a piece bread. First we lit the food on fire with a match and placed it under a soda can with a measured amount of room temperature water. Then in order to determine much energy was in the food we recorded the change in temperature from when the food started to burn, until it stopped, in order to calculate out the number calories in the food. This skill is useful for food scientists to determine how much energy is in certain foods so that people can read the food labels and watch what they eat.
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4. Graph Experimental Data Using Logger Pro: 1.1.5 Time of Death
The skill shown here is the ability to graph data using logger pro. To use logger pro you first have to set up your x and y axis with your variables. For this example in the time of death lab we used temperature for y and time for x. Then you put the probe into the container of contents you are analyzing and hit the start collecting data button. After waiting the specified time you can then use the data and analyze the graph. This skill is very useful in certain lab scenarios in order to record data for you as well as making a graph in the software.
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- Use Inspiration Software: Activity 1.1.1 A Mysterious Death
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The skill shown here is the usage of the inspiration software. Inspiration software helps users graphically layout information through concept maps. When looking at a complex map like this it may look difficult to make, but through the inspiration software learning this skill was a breeze. Essentially what you do is open up the software, and start a new project with a box or bubble in the middle. You then create several more bubbles and connect them to the center so that you can logically layout a concept map in order to make information more digestible. You can also play with the settings of them if you want by changing colors, shapes etc... Overall this skill is very useful for scientists to convey their ideas for labs logically as well as crime scene investigators trying to determine a cause of death.
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Quarter #3
1. Perform Chromosome spreads: 3.3.2 Chromosomes A closer look
In this lab activity we learned how to perform a chromosome spread. Chromosome spreads are powerful tools in determining if there is a genetic problem in the code and are often used for chromosomal analysis. We learned earlier that chromosomes are important for passing on our genes from one generation to next, but now after performing the chromosome spreads and viewing them under a microscope I now have a better understanding of how chromosomes look. We made several slides in lab and used a microscope to examine the spreads at full detail. Chromosome spreads are also called karyotypes . A karyotype is an organized profile of a person's chromosomes and they are often used in Biomedical Science for locating chromosomal abnormalities in the DNA code.
2. ANALYZE PEDIGREES 3.4.1 Family inheritance
The skill we learned in this lab is how to analyze pedigrees. The ability to analyze pedigrees is a useful skill in the Biomedical sciences as it can be used to determine the chances of family inheritance of a disease. In this lab we applied our learning about DNA to the Anna Garcia case by figuring out the pedigree for her family's chances of passing on sickle cell. When analyzing a pedigree, it's important to understand that some genes are dominant and some recessive. In the pedigree, we were able to determine that Anna's parents were carriers based off the given information which simulates the real life job scenario of a Clinical Geneticist.
quarter #4
1. Angioplasty 4.4.1 uNBLOCKING THE VESSELS
In this lab activity we learned about 3 different methods of unblocking vessels. The specific skill demonstrated in the video is an angioplasty. To perform an angioplasty a catheter with a balloon at its tip is threaded through a blood vessel to the affected artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to compress the plaque against the artery wall which restores normal blood flow. This skill is important in the biomedical sciences because it can help prevent some severe conditions such as clogged arteries and heart attacks or strokes.
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