Sarah Cates

Period 3
Lab Analysis
DNA Fingerprint Lab Analysis: Complete the data table (handout given in class) and graph;
complete questions on pages 46 and 51 and 52 (See DNA Fingerprint pdf below). Turn into this
assignment.
Data table complete and should be turned in--graph in folder and on powerpoint
Pg 46
1. What can you assume is contained within each band? Within each band of DNA in
the gel, we can assume that there are clumps of DNA that have been cut at the GAATTC
code in DNA and are the same length and are grouped together because they are the same
length.
2. How many samples of DNA can you assume were placed in each well? In each well
we can assume that there was only one sample of DNA, however there could be
contamination in the suspect's wells or that of the crime scene so we need to be very
careful watching for the lines in case there had been a contamination.
3. What would be a logical explanation for why there is more than one band of DNA
for each of the samples? The logical explanation is that in each band there in a different

length of the DNA strand found within that band. Due to the fact that the enzymes cut at
one particular location (GAATTC) we can assume that there is a difference in length
across the DNA where that code shows up. If all the strands were the same shape we
would not see different bands but rather one large band that stretches across the gel.
4. What caused the DNA to become fragmented? The DNA becomes fragmented due
to the enzymes that were placed in the DNA solution that are designed to cut the DNA
when it sees the recognition site of GAATTC.
5. Which of the DNA samples have the same number of restriction sites for the
restriction endonucleases used? Write the lane # I am unsure what this question is asking

but on our gel several wells have similar restriction sites at different locations however.
6. Which sample has the smallest DNA fragment? Well 2 has the smallest DNA
fragment as it is furthest away from the original well.
7. Assuming a circular piece of DNA was used as starting material, how many
restriction sites were in lane three? Based off of the well, lane 3 would seem to have about

4 restriction sites but there could be more because some of the restriction sites seem
slightly blurred together or stretching farther than others.
8. On page 35, what DNA fragments appear to have been cut into the same number
and size of fragments? Fragments 1 2 and 4 seem to be constant across the whole gel with

some suspects but no suspects all match on one fragment of DNA.

9. What is your conclusion about the DNA samples in the drawing on page 35? Do any
of the samples seem to be from the same source? Describe the evidence used to reach this
conclusion. My conclusion is that wells 2 and 4 match which indicated that well 4 is the

criminal. I decided this because all of the restriction sites match between wells 2 and 4
and the fact that there is an absolute match basically dismisses any other suspects from
the crime based off the fact their DNA was not found at the scene.
Pg 51
1. What were we trying to determine? We were trying to determine which suspect

matched the DNA found at the crime scene by using DNA Fingerprinting to identify how
a person's DNA fragments and then comparing that to the crime scene DNA.
2. Which of your DNA samples were fragmented? What would the gel look like if the
DNA was not fragmented? All of our DNA samples were fragmented. If the DNA was not

fragmented then the gel would look like a large line across the entire gel because the
DNA strand would not differentiated by size of the strand.
3. What caused the DNA to be fragmented? The DNA was fragmented by the
restriction enzymes that cut DNA molecules at certain places in the strand.
4. What determines where a restriction enzyme will cut a DNA molecule? The cut
location is determined by when the enzyme finds a sugar phosphate bond in the DNA,
causing the enzyme to break the DNA into two strands along the reaction site. The
reaction site usually has the coding of a GAATTC sequence.
5. A restriction endonuclease cuts two DNA molecules at the same place. What can
you assume is identical about the molecules at that location? I can assume that the

molecules of DNA follow the typical GAATTC sequence which the enzymes are
designed to cut and break the DNA into smaller pieces at this location. Though the
strands may not be identical they will only be cut at a GAATTC location.
6. Do any of your suspect samples appear to have EcoRI or Psti recognition sites at the
same location as the DNA from the crime scene? Yes, our third suspect who was Doctor

Doctor had recognition sites at exactly the same spots as the one in the crime scene
making it a strong positive that it was Doctor Doctors DNA. We had other recognition
sites that lined up with that of the crime scene, but none as identical as our third suspect.
7. Do you suspect any of the samples to be from the same individual as the DNA found
at the crime scene? Why? Explain using scientific evidence. Yes, I believe that Doctor

Doctors DNA was at the crime scene because all of the recognition sites lined up with her
DNA and the DNA found at the crime scene. This is a strong positive because it was an
identical match and while there were other small fragments that lined up with that of the
crime scenes, the fact we had an identical match dismisses the other suspects.