Unit 6 Reflection

In this unit, we learned about biotechnology, recombinant DNA, and genetic engineering.
The essential understanding for biotechnology was why it was important, and how the characteristics of DNA and enzymes used. Biotech is important because it is the study and manipulation of living things to benefit us. Biotech generally focuses on DNA, proteins, and inheritance. The characteristics of DNA and enzymes are used in a procudure to amplify a specific DNA region.
The essential understanding for recombinant DNA is how it is created and inserted into bacteria. It completes this mission by using restriction enzymes to get certain DNA parts out, and ligase to attach it back in.
Understanding why biotech is important was one of my strengths. Partly because it makes so much sense and is very important, and partly because the information is logical and can even be figured out. Remembering how recombinant DNA is created and inserted into bacteria is difficult because there's
so much information to remember.
From the "Thinking Like a Biotechnician" lab, ( http://joansbioblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/thinking-like-biotechnician.html ) I learned about restriction enzymes and how to use them. This lab was especially helpful because it allowed me to have a hands on experience with what I was learning.
The "Candy Electrophoresis" lab (http://joansbioblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/candy-electrophoresis-lab.html) showed me exactly how gel electrophoresis works and how we determine the wavelengths of different DNA strands.
The "pGLO Lab" (http://joansbioblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/pglo-lab.html) showed me how we use genetic engineering and how we make certain bacteria grow.
I want to learn more about gel electrophoresis. I'm still a little confused about how it works, so I'm going to study it a bit more.
My goals that I made earlier this month are coming along very well. I have practiced piano everyday, and I am studying whenever I have free time.