DNA

 Replication,  Biology  202B    Lab  1.09        37  pts,  due  by  March  18        Name__________________  
 
Part  1:  How  does  DNA  copy  itself?    
Prelab:  What  does  the  word  replicate  mean?    
You  will  use  the  protein  synthesis  simulation  at:  
http://sepuplhs.org/high/sgi/teachers/genetics_act12_sim.html  
When  the  simulation  refers  to  completing  student  sheet  12.1,  fill  out  this  sheet.    
Note: 15N is an isotope of nitrogen that has an extra neutron making is slightly heavier than 14N.

The location of the bands of DNA in the picture at left depend on the amount of
15
N present in the DNA. If the DNA is extracted from bacteria grown in 15N for
several generations it will be seen in the location shown by the bottom band
(heavy DNA). If DNA is extracted from bacteria raised only in 14N it will show
up in the position of the upper band in the picture on the left (light DNA). The
width of the band shows how much of the type of DNA is present. For example,
if the band of light DNA is two times as thick as the band of (15N) heavy DNA
it shows that there is two times as much (14N) light DNA present in the bacteria
sample.
 
Procedure  for  Part  1  
1.   In  the  chart  below,  fill  in  the  “Predicted  result”  columns  for  the  1st  and  2nd  
generations  for  each  of  the  three  hypotheses.  On  the  blank  test  tube,  insert  a  line  where  you  think  the  DNA  
band(s)  will  show  up  after  the  tubes  DNA  are  spun  in  the  centrifuge.  Make  the  band  thicker  or  thinner  to  
show  how  much  DNA  is  present.  (6  pts)    
 
  1st  Generation   2nd  Generation    
  Predicted  Result   Actual  Result   Predicted  Result   Actual  result    
Conservative  
Replication  Hypothesis  

       
Semiconservative  
replication  hypothesis  
 

       
Dispersive  replication  
hypothesis  

       
 
 

First  section  of  the  lab  adapted  from  SEPUP  Lab  “DNA  Replication”  which  is  copyrighted  The  Regents  of  the  University  of  California  
 2.   As  you  watch  the  animation  of  each  of  the  three  hypotheses,  draw  the  results  that  would  
be  seen  if  the  hypothesis  were  correct,  and  complete  the  “Actual  result”  columns  for  both  
generations.    
 
 
3.   After  you  have  watched  the  animations  for  all  3  hypotheses,  record  below  which  
hypothesis  you  think  is  correct  and  why.  
 
 
4.   Watch  the  rest  of  the  animation.  Did  the  data  support  your  hypothesis?  Why  or  why  not?  
(2pts)    
 
 
5.   How  does  the  actual  method  of  replication  ensure  that  the  copied  DNA  is  identical  to  the  
original  DNA?  (2pts)  
 
 
 
Part  2:  Building  DNA  
 
Step  1:  Go  to  http://www.newpathlearning.com/MML/DNA/files/ChromoLab.swf  and  replicate  some  DNA  by  clicking  
on  the  button  that  says  “Build  DNA”.    
 

Add  base  

 
 
Step  2:  Drag  and  drop  the  complimentary  base  next  to  the  base  already  attached  to  the  DNA  
molecule.  Then  add  the  deoxyribose  (purple  pentagon)  and  the  phosphate  (yellow  bar)  
backbone.    
 
 
6.   What  is  the  sequence  of  the  bases  you  added  to  the  top  strand  from  left  to  right?  (2pts)  
 
 
7.   What  is  the  sequence  of  the  bases  you  added  to  the  bottom  strand  from  left  to  right?  
(2pts)  
First  section  of  the  lab  adapted  from  SEPUP  Lab  “DNA  Replication”  which  is  copyrighted  The  Regents  of  the  University  of  California  
  
 
8.   How  do  the  sequences  you  added  compare  to  the  sequences  already  in  the  original  
molecule?    The  bases  you  added  to  the  top  should  match  the  _______  of  the  original  
molecule  (1  pt).    
 
9.   DNA  bases  and  the  sugar  phosphate  backbone  are  not  built  by  people.  What  molecules  
help  replicate  DNA  in  the  cell?    (1pt)  
Hint:  it  is  a  type  of  protein.    
 
Part  3:  What  do  the  “ases”  do?    
 
Watch  the  animation  at:  
 
http://www.stolaf.edu/people/giannini/flashanimat/molgenetics/dna-­‐rna2.swf  
 
10.  Before  you  hit  play  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  write  down  the  names  of  the  6  
molecules  that  work  together  to  replicate  DNA.  (5pts)  
 
 
a.   Molecule  Name:  
Job:    
 
 
 
b.    Molecule  Name:    
Job:    
 
 
 
c.   Molecule  name:    
Job:    
 
 
d.   Molecule  name:    
Job:    
 
 
e.   Molecule  name:  
Job:    
 
 
 
 
11.  Now  watch  the  animation  a  few  times  and  add  what  job  each  molecule  does  as  DNA  is  
replicated.  Add  the  job  of  each  molecule  to  your  answer  for  Q10a-­‐10e.(5  pts)    
   

First  section  of  the  lab  adapted  from  SEPUP  Lab  “DNA  Replication”  which  is  copyrighted  The  Regents  of  the  University  of  California  
 12.   Bonus  Question:  The  blue  rectangles  are  going  in  opposite  directions  in  the  animation.  
Why?      Watch  http://sites.fas.harvard.edu/~biotext/animations/replication1.swf  to  find  out.  (3  pts)  
 
 
Part  4:  Putting  it  All  Together  
Use  what  you  know  about  the  complex  process  of  DNA  replication  to  answer  the  following  higher  
order  thinking  questions.  You  can  look  up  additional  info  you  need.  Use  complete  sentences  
please.    
 
13.  Refer  to  the  cell  cycle  diagram  below.    (3  pts)  
 
A.  What  color  is  the  DNA  replication  stage  in  this  
diagram?    
 
B.  About  what  percent  of  the  cell  life  cycle  would  you  
estimate  the  cell  spends  replicating  DNA?  
 
C.  Why  is  it  important  that  DNA  replicates  before  
mitosis?    
 
 

 
 
 
14.  What  can  go  wrong  in  replicating  DNA?  (2pts)  Hint,  check  out  the  last  bullet  point  at:  
https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-­‐biology-­‐textbook/dna-­‐structure-­‐and-­‐function-­‐14/dna-­‐repair-­‐104/dna-­‐
repair-­‐439-­‐12942/  Paraphrase,  do  NOT  copy  and  paste.    
 
 
15.   How  does  your  body  prevent  mistakes  in  replication?  (2pts)  Check  out:  
http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/molecular/dnareplicationandrepair/section3.rhtml  Paraphrase,  do  NOT  copy  and  paste.    
 
 
16.   What  can  happen  if  mistakes  are  made  and  passed  on  in  mitosis?  (2pts)  Check  out:  
http://www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk/mededu/changes-­‐to-­‐dna-­‐affect-­‐gene-­‐dosage-­‐or-­‐function/mutations-­‐vs-­‐polymorphisms  
Paraphrase,  do  NOT  copy  and  paste.    
 
 
17.   Why  does  DNA  replication  happen  inside  the  nucleus?  (2pts)  Visit  and  click  on  the  nucleus  and  listen  to  
the  info:  http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/insideacell/  Paraphrase,  do  NOT  copy  and  paste  info.    

First  section  of  the  lab  adapted  from  SEPUP  Lab  “DNA  Replication”  which  is  copyrighted  The  Regents  of  the  University  of  California