Skip to main content

A Molecular Approach to the study of Genetics and Evolution (O1)

The program contains selected experiments from Standard Program 1 and stresses the relevance of molecular biology to the study of human genetics and disease. The experiments provide an introduction to electrophoresis and to protein composition, structure, and function in health and disease. The exercises in the program are:

EXP-101 101. Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins (View Individual Experiment)

Students are introduced to the theory of separating proteins according to charge differences using electrophoresis. They then study four proteins and relate differences in their charges to their migration rates in an electric field. Each protein is a different color so that its progress during the separation can easily be followed.

EXP-102 102. Genetics and Sickle Cell Anemia (View Individual Experiment)

Many changes in the structure of hemoglobin have arisen by mutations. About one person in 100 carries a mutant hemoglobin gene, and these individuals have abnormal hemoglobin molecules in their blood. One of the most common abnormal hemoglobins is hemoglobin S, which causes sickle cell anemia. When the gene for hemoglobin S is inherited from both parents, all of the hemoglobin in the circulation is hemoglobin S and the individual suffers from severe anemia.

Exp-106 106. Protein Fingerprinting (View Individual Experiment)

A comparison of specific proteins from different species provides a powerful approach for establishing evolutionary relationships and for identifying organisms. A common approach used for this purpose is protein fingerprinting where electrophoretic properties of specific proteins are analyzed in different species. In this exercise, students use the approach to compare the forms of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase that are found in serum of different mammals. Typical results of this graphic experiment are shown below.

Prices

Catalog # Price Description
O1 157.00

The Chemical Package for 16 students working in pairs plus 17 student manuals and one instructor manual
O1-C 104.82

The Chemical Package for 16 students working in pairs plus one student manual and one instructor manual. (The student manual may be reproduced for educational purposes)
O1-SM 6.66

Sample Student Manual (29 pages) plus one instructor manual