Ontario Virtual High School Trouble in The Wheat Field Case Study

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Assignment: Trouble In the Wheat Fields Case Study
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Assignment: Trouble In the Wheat
Fields Case Study
Mike Brown was a wheat farmer with a reputation for having the best crops in the
region. For decades, he sold his harvest for the highest price to the major
companies in the industry. In recent years, Mike noticed that the neighbouring farm,
operated by John Wilson, was producing bigger wheat plants.
John, who recently took over his father’s farm, was a recent graduate of a university
program in molecular biology. Mike often wondered why a scientist would be
interested in farming. Mike had learned all he knew about farming from his father
and grandfather; he did not understand how some young man who was interested in
test tubes and Bunsen burners could possibly be better at growing wheat. Mike was
determined that next year his crop would be best.
The following harvest, Mike and John both produced tall golden wheat plants that
were almost identical. John, who was using a special transgenic seed, was
concerned that Mike had stolen his seeds. Early that spring, someone broke into
John’s barn and stole a bag of his seed. Mike vehemently denied the theft, but John
was extremely suspicious.
John, wanting to find out if his neighbour was growing his transgenic wheat plants,
hired your laboratory to investigate the incident. John has provided you with one of
his transgenic seeds, one of the non-transgenic seeds and a seed from Mike’s
harvest this year.
Instructions
https://lms.virtualhighschool.com/d2l/le/enhancedSequenceViewer/64875?url=https%3A%2F%2F7373ee8e-81ee-4ff2-abda-d6a83ec1978f.sequences…
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6/12/22, 9:17 AM
Assignment: Trouble In the Wheat Fields Case Study
The table below contains short DNA sequences (36 nucleotides) obtained from the
wheat seed John took from Mike’s farm. Complete Parts I and II described in the
accordion panels. Upload your answers to the assignment questions to the
appropriate Dropbox.
Allele
(Copy)
DNA Sequence
Copy 1
Strand
1: ATGGTCGGCCATAGAGTGGGCCAGTACTTGAGGTAT
Strand 2: TACCAGCCGGTATCTCACCCGGTCATGAACTCCATA
Copy 2
Strand
1: ATGGTCGGCCATAGAGTGGGTCAGTACTTGAGGTAT
Strand 2: TACCAGCCGGTATCTCACCCAGTCATGAACTCCATA
Part I
Cut both copies of the DNA sequence with the restriction endonuclease
Hemophilius aegypticus (HaeIII).
The restriction enzyme HaeIII recognizes the following four nucleotide sequence:
GG | CC
CC | GG
HaeIII cuts the DNA strand between the guanine (G) and the cytosine (C).
1. Look at each of the two copies of the DNA sequence and identify how many
times you find the restriction site (GGCC). Record the number of HaeIII sites in
the table provided.
2. Once you have identified the number of restriction sites present in each
sequence, determine the sizes of the DNA fragments you get when you cut the
DNA with HaeIII. Add the fragments sizes to your table.
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Assignment: Trouble In the Wheat Fields Case Study
DNA Sequence
Number of
Restriction
Sites
DNA
Fragme
Sizes (#
nucleot
Allele Copy 1
Strand 1:
ATGGTCGGCCATAGAGTGGGCCAGTACTTGAGGTAT
Strand 2:
TACCAGCCGGTATCTCACCCGGTCATGAACTCCATA
Allele Copy 2
Strand 1:
ATGGTCGGCCATAGAGTGGGTCAGTACTTGAGGTAT
Strand 2:
TACCAGCCGGTATCTCACCCAGTCATGAACTCCATA
Part II
Questions
Answer the questions below.
1. What conclusions can you draw from the RFLP analysis of the seed taken from
Mike’s harvest tell you?
2. Do the results of the test prove that Mike stole the seed from John?
3. Explain how electrophoresis can separate DNA fragments based on size.
4. In an RFLP analysis, would using multiple restriction enzymes be beneficial to
determining the genetic identity of an individual?
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Assignment: Trouble In the Wheat Fields Case Study
5. Research and discuss how one of the following is an example of polymorphism
in humans:
a. Blood types
b. Male and female sex types
Assessment Details
Your submission should include the following:

Your answers to the questions written in your own words

All in-text citations and a reference list according to the APA style guide for
sources used in your submission
Upload your complete answers to the Assignment: Trouble in the Wheat Field Case
Study Dropbox.
Submit this assignment to the dropbox. This assignment will be evaluated for a grade that will
contribute to your overall final grade in this course.
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Running head: ASSIGNMENT
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Trouble In the Wheat Fields Case Study
Tala Naksho
May 8, 2022
ASSIGNMENT
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Part 1:
DNA Sequence
Number of Restriction
Sites
DNA Fragment Sizes
(# Nucleotides)
Strand 1: 2 restriction
sites
Strand 1: 3
Strand 2: 2 restriction
sites as well
Strand 2: 3
Strand 1: 1 restriction site
Strand 1: 2
Allele Copy 1
Strand 1:
ATGGTCGGCCATAGAGTGGGCCAGTACTTGAGGTA
T
Strand 2:
TACCAGCCGGTATCTCACCCGGTCATGAACTCCAT
A
Allele Copy 2
Strand 1:
ATGGTCGGCCATAGAGTGGGTCAGTACTTGAGGTA
T
Strand 2:
TACCAGCCGGTATCTCACCCAGTCATGAACTCCAT
A
Strand 2: 1 restriction site
Strand 2: 2
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Part 2:
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Questions
1. Based on the RFLP research, I can deduce that Mike’s and John’s seeds match.
2.
Yes, I strongly confirm that Mike stole John’s seeds after analyzing the outcomes
since both seeds showed similarities. This is because the band size and band number from
gel electrophoresis above show the number of restriction enzymes used and the
explicit polymorphisms that overcome the restriction enzymes in the tested DNA. The
records show that bands from Mike’s seed match the bands from John’s seed which
involved transgenic seeds.
3.
In reference to the gained knowledge from the course notes, the common procedure
or technique recognized and used in various critical approaches of nucleotide, charged
molecules even to differentiate proteins is called gel electrophoresis. This process considers
the different sizes and is always managed in laboratories by molecular biologists. Depending
on the charge and size, the gel allows the passage of different molecules in different
directions at varying speeds allowing their segregation. Therefore, the shorter and the smaller
molecules can migrate quickly via the gel with rapid movement compared to the large
molecules that travel or migrate longer distances. This follows the basic principle of gel
electrophoresis that signifies; DNA will carry a negative charge while in aqueous solution.
Additionally, they move the long DNA strands through dense medium with greater force
compared to the shorter DNA strand. As the DNA is moved up the gel in the direction of the
positive end, slower than shorter DNA, longer DNA travels.
4.
To visualize things first, molecular biologists use a different number of restriction
sites to determine the combination of genetic identities. When performing an RFLP analysis,
the molecular biologists would cut all the DNA from the patient with the restriction
enzymes. But it is important to remember when using RELP the restriction enzymes only cut
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at certain points. The molecular biologist would take the cut-up DNA from the patient and
separate it by gel electrophoresis. The more different enzymes used, the more genetic
identities the molecular biologist would be able to detect different abnormalities for an
individual by being able to compare more genes to the normal set and it will increase the
evidence reliability and proof obtained of genetic identification and recognition, hence
accurate. Not to mention, increasing the number of the same restriction enzyme won’t do
anything. So I do think it is indeed beneficial to use multiple restriction enzymes in
determining the genetic identity of an individual when operating an RFLP analysis.
5.
In biology, polymorphism is a discontinuous genetic variation that leads to
numerous distinct shapes or kinds of people existing among members of the same species
(Britannica, 2020). And in specific, it’s when the different alleles lead to different forms or
outcomes, which separates a population’s individuals into two or more sharply different
forms. Generally, scientists usually isolate the DNA from the cell, digesting it with a set of
restriction endonucleases, then separating the DNA by gel electrophoresis. To identify
only the DNA around the polymorphism, the scientists use a special probe that binds to the
DNA and can be visualized, either with the eyes or through the use of a special camera.
The distinct blood groups in humans are the clearest example of polymorphism.
Over 300 blood group traits on red cells have already been found, several of which are
polymorphic, and genes for 20 out of the 23 human blood group divisions have been cloned,
as well as the molecular underpinnings of most of these systems’ major polymorphisms
(Daneils, 2015). The molecular mechanisms underlying these polymorphisms are
complicated, but many are simple single nucleotide polymorphisms; often these blood group
polymorphisms are caused by mutations that consequences in amino acid substitutions, but
other types of mutations, such as single-base deletion, gene deletion, and genetic substrate
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exchange between homologous genes, are also implicated (Daniels, 2015). Null phenotypes,
in which no blood group antigens are produced, are not frequently polymorphic, but they do
give excellent instances of the influence of inhibiting the enzyme mutations on blood group
expression (Daniels, 2009). Null phenotypes provide important indications to the
functioning of blood group antigens since they are natural human ‘knock-outs’ (Arnoni,
Muniz, & Roche, 2013).
Awareness of the genetic heritage of polymorphisms in the blood group offers a way to
predict genomic DNA blood group phenotypes. Fetal blood group determination checks if
the fetus has any risk of getting hemolytic disease. It is also used to determine the blood type
phenotypes in transfusion-dependent, multiply transfused patients. Presence of donor red
preclude serological tests, they are applied in transfusion medicine (Daniels, 2015). To boot,
other technologies are being developed for the future as well.
Polymorphisms in the Kell system are another example of mutation-induced variation. When
these mutations in the KEL gene are compared to antigen clusters discovered using an
immunochemical approach, it seems that the Kell-system antigens are not linear and are
most likely discontinuous (Dean, 2017). The biological relevance of the proteins and
glycoproteins that contain many of the blood type antigens is known or maybe theorized
upon. The discovery of the mutations that cause these null-phenotypes has shown that these
macromolecules are often not essential for maintaining a healthy existence. However, little is
definite regarding the biological importance of blood type polymorphisms. Many
macromolecules bearing blood group activity operate as receptors for harmful bacteria, and
these pathogens have played a significant role in the formation of blood group
polymorphism.
Furthermore, the ABO histo-blood group was the first genetic polymorphism found in
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humans, and it was the main determinant of transfusion incompatibility. In many primates,
the ABO antigens are polymorphic, having two amino acid alterations causing specificity in
A and B in every species sequenced thus far (Segurel, 2012). It has been argued for decades
whether this repetition of A and B antigens is the consequence of an ancient polymorphism
preserved throughout species or owing to various (Segurel, 2012) factors, with the current
consensus favoring genetic recombination.
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Work Cited
Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020, May 07). Polymorphism. Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/polymorphism-biology
What is gel electrophoresis?. (2015, October 2). Yourgenome.org. Retrieved may 8, 2022, from
https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-gel-electrophoresis#:~:text=Gel%20electroph
oresis%20and%20DNA&text=DNA%20is%20negatively%20charged%2C%20therefore,
arranged%20in%20order%20of%20size.
Health
and
Genetic
Testing.
(2019).
kodalihart
Labradors.
may
8,
2022,
from

Health and Genetic Testing

Geoff Daniels. (December 29, 2009). The molecular genetics of blood group polymorphism.
PubFacts.https://www.pubfacts.com/detail/19727826/The-molecular-genetics-of-blood-group-polymo
rphism
Segura, L., 2012. (November 6, 2012). The ABO blood group is a trans-species
polymorphism in primates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1210603109
Carine Prisco Arnoni, Muniz, J. G., Paula, & Roche, F. (2013, March 4). An easy and efficient
strategy
for
KEL
genotyping
in
a
multiethnic
population.
ResearchGate.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237060946_An_easy_and_efficient_strat
egy_for_KEL_genotyping_in_a_multiethnic_population
The
Kell
blood
group.
(2017).
NBIC.
Retrieved
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