Genetics U2

Genetic Technology

Micro

Prefix meaning one-millionth 10^-6

Milli

Prefix meaning one-thousandth 10^-3

Protocol

The step-by-step instructions followed to perform an experiment.

Micropippet/pipet/pippete

A hand-held lab tool used to precisely measure and transfer tiny liquid volumes.

Microtube / reaction tube

Small plastic tubes (often 1.5 mL) used to hold, mix, and store samples.

Microcentrifuge / microfuge / fuge

A high-speed benchtop machine used to spin small tubes, pulling all liquid to the bottom.

electrophoresis buffer (TBE or TAE)

Liquid that helps electricity flow through the gel

power supply

Provides the electricity for electrophoresis

gel box

Container that holds the gel and buffer during electrophoresis

gel casting tray

Tray used to make/shape the agarose gel

cathode

Negative (-) electrode

anode

Positive (+) electrode

rubber dams

Pieces that keep the liquid from leaking out of the gel box

comb

Tool that makes wells/holes in the gel for loading DNA

potential (electric)

The electrical force/voltage that pushes electricity through a circuit

wells

Small holes in the gel where samples are placed

current

The flow of electricity

aliquot

A small measured portion of a liquid/sample

volts (V)

Unit used to measure electrical potential

loading dye

Dye added to DNA samples to help load and track them in the gel

milliamps (mA)

Unit used to measure electrical current

DNA standard / DNA ladder

DNA pieces of known sizes used to determine the size of unknown DNA

indicator

A substance that shows something by changing color

agarose

Material used to make the gel that separates DNA

stain

Chemical that makes DNA bands visible

bp (base pairs)

Unit for measuring DNA length

Electrophoresis

A lab technique that uses electricity to separate DNA pieces by size.