Exercise+3+SP23+ed

.docx

School

University of Tennessee, Martin *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

110

Subject

Biology

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

7

Uploaded by MinisterSnowPorcupine32

Report
Exercise 3 Macromolecules II– Nucleic Acids and DNA Extraction Introduction Nucleic acids are one of the four types of macromolecules that we study in Introductory Biology. Two forms of nucleic acids are present in most living cells. These two forms are (1) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and (2) ribonucleic acid (RNA) . Please do not just memorize the three letters that are used to represent each molecule; learn how to spell the real name of each molecule. Many teachers will not accept "DNA" or "RNA" as a correct answer. In this lab exercise we will discuss the structure and function of both deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid, and then we will extract deoxyribonucleic acid from cells that were once living. Structure of DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid (Figure 3.1) is composed of four types of nucleotides . Each nucleotide contains (l) one molecule of deoxyribose sugar which is located between (2) a phosphate group and (3) a nitrogenous base (Figure 3.1.2). A nucleotide contains one of four kinds of nitrogenous bases. These nitrogenous bases are: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine (Figure 3.1.1). Two of these bases are purines and contain two rings of carbon atoms and four nitrogen atoms. The two purines are adenine and guanine. The other two bases are pyrimidines and consist of one ring of carbon atoms and two nitrogen atoms. The alternating phosphate and sugar units make the outside part, and the nitrogenous bases project inward to form the steps of a ladder-like molecule, which is twisted into the form of a double helix (i.e., spiraled like the threads on a screw or a spiral staircase). The two strands of nucleotides are joined by the formation of hydrogen bonds between adjacent nitrogenous bases (Figure 3.1.4). Each nitrogenous base is complementary to (i.e., can pair with) only one of the other three nitrogenous bases. The purine adenine and the pyrimidine thymine are complementary. The purine guanine and the pyrimidine cytosine are complementary. Genetic information is stored in the sequence of the nitrogenous bases in the Objectives: This laboratory exercise is designed to help students learn the following: 1. the types, structure, and functions of nucleic acids that are present in living cells. 2. to extract and visually examine deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from cells of wheat germ. Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ribonucleic acid (RNA) The nitrogenous bases of DNA include: 1) purines — adenine and guanine 2) pyrimidines —cytosine and thymine
deoxyribonucleic acid molecules (Figure 3.1.4). We inherit these molecules, by way of eggs and sperm, from our parents and pass these molecules on to our children. Structure of RNA The structure of ribonucleic acid (RNA) differs from deoxyribonucleic acid in several ways. 1) Each molecule of ribonucleic acid is composed of one strand of nucleotides (unlike the two strands of deoxyribonucleic acid). 2) The nucleotides of RNA each contain the 5- carbon sugar, ribose instead of deoxyribose as in DNA. 3) The nitrogenous bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil (instead of thymine) are present in ribonucleic acid. Figure 3.1. (1) Nitrogenous bases found in DNA; (2) make-up of nucleotides; (3) bonding between strands of DNA molecule; (4) DNA double helix. RNA differs from DNA is three important ways Figure 3.1. (1) Nitrogenous bases found in DNA; (2) make-up of nucleotides; (3) bonding between strands of DNA molecule; (4) DNA double helix. RNA differs from DNA is three important ways
There are three types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) are present in most cells. One type is messenger RNA (mRNA) . This molecule copies the information in a section of deoxyribonucleic acid. The messenger RNA then moves out of the nucleus to the cell ribosomes where proteins are constructed. Messenger RNA serves as a “recipe” for the construction of protein molecules. A second type of ribonucleic is called transfer RNA (tRNA) . These molecules deliver amino acids to the ribosome for the construction of proteins. The third type of ribonucleic acid is called ribosomal RNA (rRNA) . Activity 3.1: DNA extraction from wheat germ cells 1. Pour 10 ml of 95% ethanol into one test tube and place the tube in an ice bath. 2. Your instructor has already added l ml dry raw wheat germ and 4ml of water to another test tube to form a wheat germ suspension. 3. Add l ml (1 dropper-full) of 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to the test tube with the wheat germ suspension and rotate the suspension gently. Continue gently rotating for 5 minutes. SDS lyses (breaks apart and destroys) the wheat germ cell membranes as well as their nuclear envelopes; this frees the chromosomes and allows them to enter the surrounding solution from which we can retrieve the DNA portion of the chromosomes. 4. Add l ml (1 dropper-full) of 3% papain solution to the test tube with the wheat germ suspension and gently rotate the suspension for 2 minutes. Papain is a protease (protein digesting enzyme) that digests, at least partially, the histone proteins that associate with the DNA. 5. Place the test tube with the wheat germ suspension in a hot water bath at 65-72° C for 20 minutes. Note: this temperature will denature the DNAase enzymes that were also released from the lysed cells; however, it will not alter the structure of the DNA molecules. 6. At the end of 20 minutes, remove the tube from the hot water bath and cool the tube to room temperature. 7. Once the test tube is cool, add 5 ml of cold 95% ethyl alcohol from the other test tube by pouring it gently down the inside of the test tube with the wheat germ suspension as demonstrated by your instructor. Types of RNA Messenger RNA (mRNA) Transfer RNA (tRNA) Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) SDS is a detergent that solubilizes the cell membrane Papain is a protease to break down histones and other proteins Heating denatures DNAase enzymes
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help