WET LAB DNA Barcoding: From Samples to Sequences - Northwest ...

WET LAB
KEY
Lab 3: Analyzing PCR Results
with Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Teacher Answer Key
On your separate sheet of paper or in your lab notebook, answer each of the following questions:
1. What did you do in this laboratory experiment and why?
Analyzed the results of our PCR reactions using agarose gel electrophoresis. Gel electrophoresis is used to
separate and visualize pieces of DNA by comparing them to a known DNA Molecular Weight Standard.
2. What skills did you learn or practice?
This question is designed to help students identify laboratory skills that they can list on a resume and/or
college application.
• Handling samples
• Pipetting
• Pouring, loading, running, and analyzing DNA gels
• Optional: Graphing agarose gel electrophoresis results
3. Was your PCR successful? Did you have a DNA band in your sample well? If so, what was the approximate size of
your DNA (also called your “PCR product”)?
The answer to this question will vary by student. If the PCR was successful, they should have a single band of
approximately 650 bp in their sample well, but no bands in their negative control well.
Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing
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©Northwest Association for Biomedical Research—Updated October 2012