DNA BLog post help

The inquiry questions were:   

What is DNA?  How much DNA is in the strawberry?  What do you think it looks like?  

Hypothesis:  If an average strawberry is about 11 grams, then the DNA we extract would be about 2 grams or 20%

Table:  Mass of Strawberry vs. Mass of DNA 

Group	Mass of 5 Strawberries (g)	Mass of 1 strawberry (g) (divided by 5) Please calculate	Mass of DNA from 5 strawberries (g)	Mass of DNA (g) (divided by 5) Please calculate
1	79.1	9.7	1.1
2	66.2	13.74	1.2
3	32.9	6.5	1.4
4	49.5	9.9	1.9
5	37.4	7.48	2.9
6	38.2	7.64	2.1
7	47.875		1.5

Data Analysis:  On the graph paper in the packet, please graph the masses of 5 strawberries (all 7 groups) and masses of DNA from 5 strawberries (all 7 groups).   What patterns do you see in the graph?  Do you think the pattern would be different if you were to graph the masses of 1 strawberry (average mass) and the mass of its DNA (average amount of DNA in 1 strawberry)?  Why or why not?  Be specific.   

Conclusion:  Answer the guiding questions now that you have processed your data.  Then, look back at your hypothesis, were you right?  Explain what was correct or not correct.  Why was it necessary to mash the strawberries?  What was the purpose of the extraction buffer (salt, distilled water, dish soap)?  Why did we need to add the alcohol?  Why did it help us to see the DNA?   

If you would like to see some great pictures (compliments of Jana), you can find them below in an attachment. 

If you were to take the mass of 10 strawberries (average sized), how much DNA do you think you could get out of it?  

What about 100?  

Further inquiry:  Do you think the data you and other groups collected were accurate/valid?  Why or why not?  What might have been some issues with the data?  How could you improve this method of extracting DNA?  If we had more time, what would have helped us to get even better data?  

Think about a new experiment you could do with DNA and write it here in this section. For example, what about oranges and orange juice?  What about fresh and frozen strawberries? Do they have the same amount of DNA? What about fanta?  Does soda have DNA?   What about tomatoes or onions?   These are just a few examples that I could think of..

How would you design this experiment?  Inquiry question, hypothesis, variables (control, manipulated, response)?  

Food Pyramids

Last week, we watched two videos called Nutrition by Natalie- Top 10 Worst Foods and Top 10 Best Foods.  You have by now also researched several of the vocabulary terms that came up during those videos.
Top 10 Best Foods
Top 10 Worst Foods
If you are interested, here is another great video from Natalie!
Top 10 Worst Drinks----Can you guess what they are?

Now, it is time to have a look at where these foods fit into the food pyramid and how much of each category do we need to stay healthy?  There is even a vegan pyramid...

Look at the images below, click on them to get a bigger image.

Your TASK:  Compare and contrast the new and the old pyramids.  What has changed?  What is still the same?  How well do you do in following the food pyramid each day?  Do you take multivitamins in the morning?  

Old Food Pyramid:

New Food Pyramid:

Vegan Pyramid: 

Plate Tectonics Simulation

Click to Run

Click on "RUN NOW"
Click on "KEEP"
Open
Java 7 will run the program on your computer.

Use the handout for help in exploring this Simulation to explore the concepts we have been studying these past two weeks.

At the beginning you will drag the thermometer over the continental and oceanic crust to see what the temperature is.  Only stay on the CRUST tab.

For the second part you will go to the Plate Tab.

You will hand in your sheet at the end of class.  

Amazing Stuff- Corn Starch!!!

Tonight's homework is: 
In a new post on your blog, embed the video from our class blog (Or you can find your own) by copying and pasting the link in or the embed code from YouTube, of the material we worked with today. 

Under the video, describe what properties this new material had when you used your hands to investigate it, or the plastic spoon or cups. 

What happened when you held it, let it drip, squeezed it, punched it, poked it, scooped it? 

What happened when there was too much water? When there wasn't enough water? 

Did the substance change after time? 

How did your hands react to this mixture? 

What further inquiry (questions or tests) could you do? What tests could you run next time or which ones did you run today that would provide evidence to your conclusion of whether it is solid or liquid material?

What materials could you use at home to test the differences between white powders? 

Why is corn starch so special when it is only mixed with water? 

Is this new material a liquid or a solid? What are the properties of each and how can you determine them? 

What are your final thoughts of today's experiment and investigation?

Here's a link that explains this liquid/solid in a Dr. Seuss source...Have you ever heard of Oobleck?!  

http://twistedphysics.typepad.com/cocktail_party_physics/2007/08/primordial-ooze.html
Other fun science mixtures to make!!!  Visit this website.  :)  
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com