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The Arizona Hedgehog
Cactus:
Endangered Species or not?
Lesson 6: Electrophoresis Protocols
Purpose:
This lesson familiarizes students with the technique of
pouring and loading an agarose gel through a teacher demonstration.
Time:
One 50-60 minute class period
Materials Preparation:
- 100X electrophoresis buffer stock
- Deionized water
- 100 ml and 1000 ml graduated cylinders
- Methylene blue concentrate
- Centigram balance
- Agarose
- Large test tubes
- Casting trays with combs and glass plates
- Masking tape
- Plastic pipettes
- Boiling water bath
Student Objective(s):
- Explain how an agarose gel is poured and DNA is loaded into the
wells of the gel.
Lesson Plan:
- Hand out the reading material "Electrophoresis Protocols".
- Discuss each step described by demonstrating the preparation
of the electrophoresis buffer, the methylene blue dye, and the agarose
solution. Pour an agarose gel and while it is cooling, hand out
the assignment "Gel Electrophoresis and Analysis".
- Have the students work in class on this assignment until the gel
is cooled (about 10-15 minutes before the end of class). When the
gel is cool, place it into the electrophoresis chamber, cover the
gel with buffer and then load a "DNA sample" into one of the wells.
Invite students to practice loading "DNA" into the wells. (Use loading
dye to simulate DNA).
Supporting Materials:
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