Workflow notes and controls
Mon, May 3, 2027 · Week 16 · Biotechnology for Health (Biomedical Innovations)
Today's goal: Outline the recombinant DNA workflow and explain the rationale for each control.
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Workflow, in order:
1. Cut: A restriction enzyme (for example, EcoRI) cuts both the human gene source and the plasmid vector at the same recognition site.
2. Ligate: DNA ligase seals the insert into the cut plasmid, joining the sugar-phosphate backbone.
3. Transform: Competent bacterial cells take up the recombinant plasmid during heat shock.
4. Select: Cells are plated on antibiotic agar so only those carrying the resistance plasmid survive.
Why restriction enzymes cut at specific sequences: They recognize a specific short palindromic sequence and cut only there, producing matching sticky ends so the insert and vector fit together predictably.
Controls:
- Positive control: cells given a plasmid known to carry the resistance gene; they should grow on antibiotic agar, confirming the transformation and plates worked.
- Negative control: cells given no plasmid, plated on antibiotic agar; they should NOT grow. If they do, the antibiotic failed or the plate is contaminated.
Safety reason for controls: The negative control catches contamination and confirms the antibiotic is actually killing non-transformed cells, so we do not mistakenly release or misidentify untreated bacteria.
| Step | Enzyme or reagent | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | Restriction enzyme (EcoRI) | Cut gene and plasmid at the same site |
| Ligate | DNA ligase | Seal insert into the plasmid |
| Transform | Competent cells, heat shock | Move plasmid into bacteria |
| Select | Antibiotic agar | Keep only transformed cells |
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: Completes the pre-lab workflow outline: four ordered recombinant DNA steps with the enzyme or reagent for each, an explanation of restriction enzyme specificity, and a positive and negative control with safety rationale.
- Identify the purpose, hazards, and required controls.
- Write the procedure in a usable order.
- Confirm materials, measurements, and waste handling before starting.
Keep the structure. Replace the question, facts, measurements, and evidence. Then recheck units, vocabulary, and whether the conclusion goes beyond the evidence.
Also due today: Submit your workflow notes on Schoology today.
Turn in: Recombinant DNA workflow outline
Go to Schoology to turn this in.
Submit one PDF. Put your first and last name in the document header. Name the file: FirstName LastName - Assignment Title - YYYY-MM-DD.pdf.
Open Schoology PDF upload helpIf you cannot get in, see Mr. Mendoza. Do not skip the work.
Claim ceiling: Today's evidence supports a classroom claim about today's lesson. It cannot prove causation, diagnose a real patient, or justify action outside this room.
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.
It builds this reusable test skill: Ordering the recombinant DNA workflow and naming each enzyme.
- Name the concept or data pattern being tested.
- Cross out choices that violate that rule or the evidence.
- Justify the best remaining choice before checking the answer.