Chemistry 104

Chemistry 451

Lecture #3: Nucleic Acid Sequencing and Recombinant DNA technology

Read:

Pg. 56-67
Are Chemists Not Scientists? (Hand-out)

Optional:

Guided Exploration 2 (CD)

DNA animations (shown in class: southern blotting, cycle sequencing and DNA detective)

Inserting DNA into a plasmid

Biological Engineering

Hyperchem Assignment, Due: Friday, 9/15/00

Objectives:

Know that enzymes (typically proteins) are extremely effective and specific catalysts with names ending in -ase.

Carefully consider H-bonding between bases in nucleic acids

Know why restriction endonucleases cut DNA at specific sites.

Explain how the chain terminator method is used to sequence DNA.

Explain the process of DNA fingerprinting including the role of genetic polymorphisms and restriction endonucleases.

Know what gel electrophoresis is and that it separates DNA according to molecular weight. (Know that DNA is negatively charged because of phosphate groups).