Download Biodiversty State Lab

Biodiversty State Lab
Notes
Summary –
→ Botana Curus is a hypothetical plant that produces Curol, a
compound used for treating certain kinds of cancer. Curol can’t be made in
a lab. It grows very slowly and is on the endangered species list, so it’s
ability to provide Curol in large quantities is limited.
→ So, we wanted to find a similar plant species ( X, Y, or Z ) that is
the most closely related to Botana Curus, which could also produce Curol.
→ To do this, we performed 3 Structural and 4 Molecular tests on
Botana Curus and species X, Y, and Z.
Structural Tests
1. Characteristics of Plants (leaves) – We looked at and described the
shape, color, size and texture of the leaves of Botana
Curus & X, Y, Z species.
2. Characteristics of Seeds – We looked at and described the shape, color,
size, & texture of the seeds of Botana Curus &
X, Y, Z species.
3. Microscopic Stem Structure – We looked at a slide of a cross section of
the stems of Botana Curus & X, Y, Z species to
determine if the tissue bundles were scattered or circular.
Molecular Tests
4. Paper Chromatography – We put drops of plant extract from Botana
Curus & X, Y, Z species on a piece of paper & placed it
in a cup with an inch of water. We then observed the
colors of the pigments present and compared Botana
Curus & X, Y, Z species.
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Biodiversity State Lab
5. Test for Enzyme M – We needed to test for enzyme M because if it has
it, it indicates the organism will produce Curol.
So, we tested the plant extract from Botana Curus
& X, Y, Z species for the enzyme by putting
enzyme indicator powder into 4 different wells and
then putting a drop of plant extract from each plant
into each well. Those that bubbled up tested
positive for enzyme M.
6. Gel Electrophoresis DNA Banding Pattern – We had a different
colored strip of paper that represented portions of DNA
molecules for of Botana Curus & X, Y, Z species. We
cut each strip of “DNA” between each CCGG (the
cutting w/scissors simulated what restriction enzymes
do). We then counted the base numbers on each strip
and glued them on the chart in the correct line. GEL
ELECTROPHORESIS is used by scientists to
separate the DNA fragments resulting from this binding
and cutting process. It is electrically charged field
where the negatively charge DNA molecules migrate
through a gel-like material toward the positively
charged pole. Smaller molecules migrate more
rapidly through the gel than larger molecules.
7. Differences in Amino Acid Sequences – We translated sequences of
DNA bases that were present in of Botana Curus
& X, Y, Z species to a complimentary messenger
RNA base sequence. Then we used the universal
genetic code table to translate the mRNA base
sequences into sequences of Amino Acids in the
proteins produced by each species. Then, we
compared the Amino Acid sequence of Botana
Curus & X, Y, Z species to see which was closest.
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Biodiversity State Lab
Conclusion:
From comparing Botana Curus & X, Y, Z, species Z had the most
similarities to Botana Curus.→
 Leave & Seeds similar
 Stem structure – both scattered bundles
 Paper chromatography – both blue, yellow & pink pigments
 Enzyme M – both tested positive
 No differences in Amino Acid sequences
 Both had the same band in pattern for Gel Electrophoresis DNA