Gene Evolution Lab Report
The Relationship between Gene Copy Number, Amylase Concentration, and Gene Evolution
Matthew Fantauzzi
400007178
Shawn Hercules - L15
25 November 2015
Abstract
In this lab, students were experimenting to determine if a relationship exists between gene copy number, amylase concentration, and gene evolution. At the same time, this lab was designed to introduce university freshman to the etiquette and conventions used in a formal research setting. The methods used ranged from sample production, dilution techniques, and the use of scientific machinery to determine individual results. The experiment took place over multiple weeks. Individually, I was testing to determine if my ancestry has any bearing on my genetic makeup; I approached …show more content…
In order to retain this status, it is necessary for undergraduate students to be exposed to a research environment early and thoroughly, allowing for these young scholars to begin developing their skills and etiquette within a lab. Most importantly, however, it allows for students to begin asking their own questions within the field of biology, creating the scientific inquiry and drive needed to push the future of research. The experiment being discussed in this paper is an entry level lab; simple enough to be completed by individuals without prior experience in a laboratory, but still engaging enough to encourage pursuit of further …show more content…
For example, lab 4 was very pipette heavy, requiring a dilution to be completed to specific values. It would be really quite easy for myself or any individual new to the lab to make an error in either volume, concentration, or timing that would cause the results to be warped. Similarly, in labs where machines are being used for readings, issues could have occurred, causing the results to be incorrect. For example, multiple times throughout the labs, a spectrophotometer was used to determine absorbance values, thus providing knowledge on another variable. If the spectrophotometer was read incorrectly, or the test tube was not properly cleaned, then the reading would be wrong, resulting in skewed results. To further add to this claim, by looking at Figure 4 in the appendix, it can be seen that the error bars indicate a very large margin of error. This indicates that some individuals either had incorrect results, or that other anomalies were at play. Overall, it would seem that inexperience can cause a lot of issues which can greatly skew
Matthew Fantauzzi
400007178
Shawn Hercules - L15
25 November 2015
Abstract
In this lab, students were experimenting to determine if a relationship exists between gene copy number, amylase concentration, and gene evolution. At the same time, this lab was designed to introduce university freshman to the etiquette and conventions used in a formal research setting. The methods used ranged from sample production, dilution techniques, and the use of scientific machinery to determine individual results. The experiment took place over multiple weeks. Individually, I was testing to determine if my ancestry has any bearing on my genetic makeup; I approached …show more content…
In order to retain this status, it is necessary for undergraduate students to be exposed to a research environment early and thoroughly, allowing for these young scholars to begin developing their skills and etiquette within a lab. Most importantly, however, it allows for students to begin asking their own questions within the field of biology, creating the scientific inquiry and drive needed to push the future of research. The experiment being discussed in this paper is an entry level lab; simple enough to be completed by individuals without prior experience in a laboratory, but still engaging enough to encourage pursuit of further …show more content…
For example, lab 4 was very pipette heavy, requiring a dilution to be completed to specific values. It would be really quite easy for myself or any individual new to the lab to make an error in either volume, concentration, or timing that would cause the results to be warped. Similarly, in labs where machines are being used for readings, issues could have occurred, causing the results to be incorrect. For example, multiple times throughout the labs, a spectrophotometer was used to determine absorbance values, thus providing knowledge on another variable. If the spectrophotometer was read incorrectly, or the test tube was not properly cleaned, then the reading would be wrong, resulting in skewed results. To further add to this claim, by looking at Figure 4 in the appendix, it can be seen that the error bars indicate a very large margin of error. This indicates that some individuals either had incorrect results, or that other anomalies were at play. Overall, it would seem that inexperience can cause a lot of issues which can greatly skew