Biology Plasmid Lab Report

To start this experiment, two microcentrifuge tubes were exposed to different ingredients. One was labeled “+DNA,” the other with “-DNA.” They were both filled with different bacteria. More specifically, the “+DNA” tube had pGFP in it and included a plasmid. Included on that plasmid were two genes: gfp (gene for green fluorescent protein) and an ampicillin resistant gene. The gfp gene makes cells glow and the resistant gene fights against ampicillin, which kills cells. This plasmid DNA was added to half of the cells before both tubes went through a competency process. These tubes were incubated on ice for 10 minutes, placed into a 107.6℉ water bath for 90 seconds and then returned to the ice bucket for two minutes. After the cells were incubated for two minutes in the ice bath, recovery broth was added to both transformation tubes and the cells were incubated in a 98.6℉ water bath for 30 minutes. This was done in order to make the bacterial cells competent, meaning the cells were able to take up the …show more content…
Cells exposed to -DNA did grow, but did not glow. The plate with -DNA/+Amp grew and didn’t glow; however, the cells in that plate shouldn’t have grown or glowed because only cells with +DNA contained the pGFP. In the plates labeled +DNA/+Amp and +DNA/+Amp/+IPTG nothing grew or glowed despite the presence of ampicillin and the glowing gene, which means the bacteria did not pick up either of the genes. In the experiment, the resistant ampicillin gene and the gene for green fluorescent protein was tested. After incubating the plates, it became clear how DNA can be transferred between bacteria through the process of transformation. In total conclusion, the lab intended to show that the gene for B-lactamase promotes growth even in the presence of ampicillin, and the promoter protein IPTG codes for a gene that makes cells