Prelab Assignment

BIO 208: GENETICS 08

Prelab Assignment Read the pre- laboratory handouts: Glowing Fish, Protein of the Month, and Transformation of E. coli with pGLO Plasmid DNA

Use full sentences and answer in your own words. Type. Use a separate piece of paper to answer.

1. What is GFP and from what organism (genus and species) is the GFP gene obtained?

2. A number of colorations proteins have been identified in the snake-licks sea anemone. Which of these proteins is/are fluorescent after UV irradiation an in what part of the anemone body are they located?

3. The function of the GFP in marine organisms is unknown. Provide and explanation as to how jellyfish might use bioluminescence.

4. The GFP gene can be engineered into other organisms DNA. How was this accomplished in the zebra fish?

5. GFP is a powerful research tool. What does linking the GFP gene to another gene allow scientists to do?

Provide an example of this application

Read the Transformation paper

6. What is bacterial genetic transformation?

7. What is a plasmid? Draw a picture of the pGLO plasmid and identify the origin of replication, the GFP gene, and the gene that encodes a protein that allows the bacteria to become resistant to ampicillin.

8. The heat shock and CaCl2 treatment (transformation solution) of competent bacteria are essential in the laboratory transformation procedure. How do these two treatments work to facilitate transformation?

9. GFP expression in transformed bacteria is regulated (can be turned on and off). What is the name of the sugar used in this experiment to regulate the expression of the GFP gene in transformed bacteria?

10. What type of light is required to visualize the GFP (protein)?

Read the entire Transformation of E. coli with pGLO Plasmid DNA handout to familiarize yourself with the terms and concepts of the lab.