Gel electrophoresis lab
Run or model gel electrophoresis and interpret band positions to compare DNA fragments.
Gel banding data table with migration distances, largest-to-smallest ranking, two size estimates against the ladder, and an explanation of the size-migration relationship.
- 1Do thisRun or model gel electrophoresis and interpret band positions to compare DNA fragments.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisLab report: Gel banding data table with migration distances, largest-to-smallest ranking, two size estimates against the ladder, and an explanation of the size-migration relationship.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions) › PCR, restriction enzymes, electrophoresis, microarrays, and the limits of each method. › Lab reportOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: How does an electric field turn invisible DNA fragments into a readable size map?
- 0-8Safety and equipment orientation; review PCR pre-lab connection
- 8-25Load wells (or annotate gel diagram); identify ladder lane
- 25-45Record migration distances; rank all bands from largest to smallest
- 45-60Estimate sizes of two unknown bands using ladder; write values in data table
- 60-72Write explanation sentence for size-vs.-migration relationship
- 72-80Submit data table and interpretation; clean up workspace
- • Hook: Show an image of a finished gel and ask: what information is hiding in those faint blue bands?
- • Why it matters: Gel electrophoresis is the standard readout for PCR in forensics, disease diagnosis, and the genetic tests you studied this unit.
- • Today's work: You load, run (or model), and interpret; your data table is the lab report.
- • Exit goal: Band interpretation with two size estimates submitted before the bell.
- 1Load the gel diagram or wet gel with the sample wells and a size ladder labeled.
- 2Record how far each band travels and rank fragments from largest to smallest.
- 3Use the ladder to estimate the size of two unknown bands in base pairs.
- 4Write one sentence explaining why smaller fragments travel farther through the gel.
- 5Submit your banding interpretation with estimated sizes as your lab evidence.
- • You'll be able to read band positions on a gel.
- • You'll be able to estimate fragment sizes using a ladder.
- • DNA is negatively charged at neutral pH; an electric field pulls fragments toward the positive pole.
- • Agarose acts as a molecular sieve: smaller fragments thread through faster and travel farther.
- • A DNA ladder is a mix of fragments of known size; aligning unknown bands to ladder bands gives a size estimate in base pairs.
Your PLTW work today
PCR, restriction enzymes, electrophoresis, microarrays, and the limits of each method. · Gel electrophoresis lab
Day 3 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Activity 2.1.2 Copying Our Genes in myPLTW and complete the gel electrophoresis activity using your PCR output.
Mark the gel electrophoresis activity complete after your data table and interpretation are submitted.
PCR diagram should be done (Tuesday); gel banding data table due today.
Gel banding data table with migration distances, size estimates, and explanation submitted.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
PCR, restriction enzymes, electrophoresis, microarrays, and the limits of each method. · Gel electrophoresis lab
Open Activity 2.1.2 Copying Our Genes in myPLTW and complete the gel electrophoresis activity using your PCR output.
PCR diagram should be done (Tuesday); gel banding data table due today.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Run or model gel electrophoresis and interpret band positions to compare DNA fragments.
- Load the gel diagram or wet gel with the sample wells and a size ladder labeled.
- Record how far each band travels and rank fragments from largest to smallest.
- Use the ladder to estimate the size of two unknown bands in base pairs.
- Write one sentence explaining why smaller fragments travel farther through the gel.
- Submit your banding interpretation with estimated sizes as your lab evidence.
Lab report: Gel banding data table with migration distances, largest-to-smallest ranking, two size estimates against the ladder, and an explanation of the size-migration relationship.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Load the gel diagram or wet gel with the sample wells and a size ladder labeled. | _______ |
| Record how far each band travels and rank fragments from largest to smallest. | _______ |
| Use the ladder to estimate the size of two unknown bands in base pairs. | _______ |
| Write one sentence explaining why smaller fragments travel farther through the gel. | _______ |
| Submit your banding interpretation with estimated sizes as your lab evidence. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- You'll be able to read band positions on a gel.
- You'll be able to estimate fragment sizes using a ladder.
Teacher-posted resources
Classroom documents for this lesson. Ones marked “Open the file” open right here; the rest are posted in Schoology. Use the label on each card to choose the right move.
Open this when the class reaches this activity and use it to complete the required lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched PCR, gel electrophoresis, microarrays by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-2_How-to-Screen-Your-Genes/2.1_Genetic-Testing-and-Screening; keywords:pcr, gel electrophoresis. Score 142. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched PCR, gel electrophoresis, microarrays by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-2_How-to-Screen-Your-Genes/00_Unit-Overview; keywords:pcr, gel electrophoresis. Score 138. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this after the required lesson work when you are ready for a harder application or a deeper connection.
Placement rationale
Matched PCR, gel electrophoresis, microarrays by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-2_How-to-Screen-Your-Genes/2.1_Genetic-Testing-and-Screening; keywords:gel electrophoresis. Score 134. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
How to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Lab & supplies
- • Wear nitrile gloves when handling the gel, loading dye, or stain; wash hands after gloves are removed.
- • If using a UV transilluminator, do not look directly at the UV light without proper UV-blocking safety glasses.
- • Keep liquids away from the power supply; confirm the chamber lid is closed before turning on current.
- • Ethidium bromide is a mutagen; only use pre-stained or EtBr-free alternatives (GelRed, SYBR Safe) unless teacher specifically directs otherwise.
- • Discard gel fragments and tips in the designated waste container, not the regular trash.
- • Report any spills immediately; use paper towels and notify the teacher before cleaning.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
From home, study the linked Khan PCR and gel resources, then interpret the provided gel image: rank the fragments by size, estimate two unknown bands against the ladder, and explain the migration pattern.
Khan Academy: gel electrophoresisThen submit your Lab report on Schoology.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Genetic Science Learning Center: Gel ElectrophoresisOptional extra credit (async)
You've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home (virtual labs included) for extra credit, all submitted on Schoology.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Thu, Oct 22, 2026 · Gel electrophoresis lab here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project