Crime Scene Investigation: Activity 1.1.2 Examining the Scene
In this unit we learned how to completely examine a crime scene and do a good job at it. There are five main steps a person must take. They are to take photographs, sketch the scene, interview suspects/witnesses, examine the body/scene, and collect all evidence. Taking photographs will help the investigator when they are back at the lab and forget what the scene looked like. Sketching the scene will help, when the investigator forgot what the layout of the scene looked like, or when they need to confirm the spot of a piece of evidence. Interviewing suspects/witnesses will help the investigator put together the puzzle pieces or rule out certain pieces. Examining the body will tell the investigator exactly how the victim died. Collecting all of the evidence is the last piece of the puzzle because it will bring the whole case together and ultimately allow the investigator to solve the crime, which is a very important job in the biomedical sciences.
In this unit we learned how to completely examine a crime scene and do a good job at it. There are five main steps a person must take. They are to take photographs, sketch the scene, interview suspects/witnesses, examine the body/scene, and collect all evidence. Taking photographs will help the investigator when they are back at the lab and forget what the scene looked like. Sketching the scene will help, when the investigator forgot what the layout of the scene looked like, or when they need to confirm the spot of a piece of evidence. Interviewing suspects/witnesses will help the investigator put together the puzzle pieces or rule out certain pieces. Examining the body will tell the investigator exactly how the victim died. Collecting all of the evidence is the last piece of the puzzle because it will bring the whole case together and ultimately allow the investigator to solve the crime, which is a very important job in the biomedical sciences.
Gel Electrophoresis: Activity 1.2.3 Gel Electrophoresis
DNA can be used to identify a person in a crime. The technology for DNA testing has greatly increased over the past few decades. A sample of DNA can be the difference in catching a criminal or not. In this lab we learned that DNA is unique to every individual and therefore can be used as an identifying tool, using a persons DNA profile. To unravel the code of a sample of DNA, a DNA analyst must use restriction enzymes to break the DNA into segments. They then will use gel electrophoresis to separate these segments into a pattern. The segments are all different lengths and will therefore travel at different speeds. The smaller segments will travel faster and end up farther down the pattern. A DNA analyst can now use the patterns from the DNA to find a match with the DNA found at the crime scene, and hopefully solve the crime, therefore making it very important in the biomedical sciences.
DNA can be used to identify a person in a crime. The technology for DNA testing has greatly increased over the past few decades. A sample of DNA can be the difference in catching a criminal or not. In this lab we learned that DNA is unique to every individual and therefore can be used as an identifying tool, using a persons DNA profile. To unravel the code of a sample of DNA, a DNA analyst must use restriction enzymes to break the DNA into segments. They then will use gel electrophoresis to separate these segments into a pattern. The segments are all different lengths and will therefore travel at different speeds. The smaller segments will travel faster and end up farther down the pattern. A DNA analyst can now use the patterns from the DNA to find a match with the DNA found at the crime scene, and hopefully solve the crime, therefore making it very important in the biomedical sciences.
Food testing with chemical indicators: Activity 2.2.1 Food Testing Lab
Scientists analyze the chemical components of a substance in a number of ways. A simple method is to use chemical indicators. After a body is examined the contents of the stomach may need to be tested in order to identify the cause of death. In Anna's case it helped us make connections with her diabetes. This lab taught me how to test foods with chemical indicators. I was able to make an educated guess before I tested a food, and see if I was correct or not. Food testing could be very helpful in the biomedical sciences, because it helps the investigators make connections, to educated guesses they have already drawn, from the other clues the body or previous medical reports gave them.
Scientists analyze the chemical components of a substance in a number of ways. A simple method is to use chemical indicators. After a body is examined the contents of the stomach may need to be tested in order to identify the cause of death. In Anna's case it helped us make connections with her diabetes. This lab taught me how to test foods with chemical indicators. I was able to make an educated guess before I tested a food, and see if I was correct or not. Food testing could be very helpful in the biomedical sciences, because it helps the investigators make connections, to educated guesses they have already drawn, from the other clues the body or previous medical reports gave them.
Glucose Tolerance Testing: Activity 2.1.1 Diagnosing Diabetes
Glucose Tolerance Testing helps doctors to diagnose patients with diabetes. This is a very important tool in the biomedical sciences. Doctors must use this test because the amount of sugar in urine is usually to low to be detected. This test monitors the amount of sugar in the liquid portion of blood, over a set period of time. The test will show the doctor how the patients body utilizes the sugar. The patient will be asked not to eat or drink anything 12 ours in advance of the test. First, the patient will get their blood drawn, this will establish a base line blood glucose for the test. They will then be asked to drink a concentrated sugar solution, and their blood is drawn again. This happens in thirty minute intervals over an hour and a half. After every thirty minute interval the patient will get their blood drawn again. A healthy persons blood glucose wouldn't rise much from the base line and go back to normal within a few hours. If the patient had diabetes the doctors would see an unusual rise in blood glucose. This test is very important when diagnosing diabetes.
Glucose Tolerance Testing helps doctors to diagnose patients with diabetes. This is a very important tool in the biomedical sciences. Doctors must use this test because the amount of sugar in urine is usually to low to be detected. This test monitors the amount of sugar in the liquid portion of blood, over a set period of time. The test will show the doctor how the patients body utilizes the sugar. The patient will be asked not to eat or drink anything 12 ours in advance of the test. First, the patient will get their blood drawn, this will establish a base line blood glucose for the test. They will then be asked to drink a concentrated sugar solution, and their blood is drawn again. This happens in thirty minute intervals over an hour and a half. After every thirty minute interval the patient will get their blood drawn again. A healthy persons blood glucose wouldn't rise much from the base line and go back to normal within a few hours. If the patient had diabetes the doctors would see an unusual rise in blood glucose. This test is very important when diagnosing diabetes.
Graph experimental data using Logger Pro: Activity 1.1.5 Time of death Experimental Design
In this experiment we tested the body temperature in a hot environment. Other groups in the class did cold and room temperature. Using Logger Pro we were able to graph our data while the experiment was taking place. It eliminated human error, and was more efficient than just using a normal thermometer. In the Biomedical Sciences graphing data is important because it helps scientists organize their data in experiments. If they didn't know how to use this program or didn't have the technology, the data from an experiment may be faulty from human error.
In this experiment we tested the body temperature in a hot environment. Other groups in the class did cold and room temperature. Using Logger Pro we were able to graph our data while the experiment was taking place. It eliminated human error, and was more efficient than just using a normal thermometer. In the Biomedical Sciences graphing data is important because it helps scientists organize their data in experiments. If they didn't know how to use this program or didn't have the technology, the data from an experiment may be faulty from human error.
Demonstrate Transcription and Translation: Activity 3.2.2 The Genetic Code
In this lab I had to learn and understand the process of transcription and translation. My understanding of these two processes led to further understanding genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia. Our whole genetic make up is made through translation and transcription, so it is very important that I know how they work. During this lab we used visual aids on the chalk board to make sure we fully understood the processes. This lab also required that I drew a picture in my lab journal showing both processes. Seeing Mrs. Neeb go through the visual aid during class and drawing the picture in my lab journal helped me understand transcription and translation.
In this lab I had to learn and understand the process of transcription and translation. My understanding of these two processes led to further understanding genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia. Our whole genetic make up is made through translation and transcription, so it is very important that I know how they work. During this lab we used visual aids on the chalk board to make sure we fully understood the processes. This lab also required that I drew a picture in my lab journal showing both processes. Seeing Mrs. Neeb go through the visual aid during class and drawing the picture in my lab journal helped me understand transcription and translation.
Dissect a Mammal Heart: 4.1.2 Anatomy of the Heart
This lab required me to dissect a sheep heart. In order to be successful in this lab, I had to be familiar with the lab tools like the scalpel, probe, scissors, etc. I also had to have a general understanding of the anatomy of the heart, so that I knew what to look for. I got this understanding through the heart boxes we made in the precious lab. Dissection is an important skill to learn because if you are going into any science degree you will have to participate in many, many more dissections. I learned a lot from this lab and had fun doing it.
This lab required me to dissect a sheep heart. In order to be successful in this lab, I had to be familiar with the lab tools like the scalpel, probe, scissors, etc. I also had to have a general understanding of the anatomy of the heart, so that I knew what to look for. I got this understanding through the heart boxes we made in the precious lab. Dissection is an important skill to learn because if you are going into any science degree you will have to participate in many, many more dissections. I learned a lot from this lab and had fun doing it.
Gel Electrophoresis : Activity 4.3.2 Hypercholesterolemia
This lab needed us to perform a gel electrophoresis in order to find out who in Anna's family had hypercholesterolemia. In order to perform this we had first make the gel, which was done by pouring the gel into s mold that had a piece to make the wells. After the gel set and was dry we were able to start. Before we could put the samples into the wells we had to centrifuge the samples and suck it up with a micro pipet. We then carefully filled the wells with the samples. The gel sat in a solution and we hooked up an electrical current, which would pull the DNA strands out into the gel. After the gel ran through, we looked at the results and matched up who had hypercholesterolemia and who did not. We were then able to use this data to finish Anna's family tree and figure out what her parents genotypes were. This is an important skill to learn in the Biomedical sciences because it helps workers put the pieces of a genetic puzzle together, and diagnose patients with diseases.
This lab needed us to perform a gel electrophoresis in order to find out who in Anna's family had hypercholesterolemia. In order to perform this we had first make the gel, which was done by pouring the gel into s mold that had a piece to make the wells. After the gel set and was dry we were able to start. Before we could put the samples into the wells we had to centrifuge the samples and suck it up with a micro pipet. We then carefully filled the wells with the samples. The gel sat in a solution and we hooked up an electrical current, which would pull the DNA strands out into the gel. After the gel ran through, we looked at the results and matched up who had hypercholesterolemia and who did not. We were then able to use this data to finish Anna's family tree and figure out what her parents genotypes were. This is an important skill to learn in the Biomedical sciences because it helps workers put the pieces of a genetic puzzle together, and diagnose patients with diseases.