NYS Relationships and

Biodiversity Lab
 Rainforests
Approximately 6% of the earth is covered in
rainforests
 Rainforest Destruction
• At one time 14% of the earth was
covered in rainforests
• Decline is due to logging for wood, agriculture,
mining, industrial development, and increased
demand for hydroelectric power
• Experts estimate rainforests will be gone in
approximately 40 years
 Importance in Medicine
• 25% of pharmaceutical products (medicines)
are derived from rainforest plants
• 65% of all plants with cancer fighting
properties come from rainforest plants
• Less than 1% of rainforest plants have been
tested for medical properties
• Estimated that lose approximately 140 plant,
animal, and insect species everyday due to
deforestation of rainforests
 Cancer Treatment
• Madagascar Periwinkle
• Substances derived from Periwinkle are used
to treat leukemia and Hodgkin's disease
• Improved the chances of surviving childhood
leukemia from 10% to 95%
• 97% of forests in Madagascar
have been destroyed
• Plant is extinct in the wild
 NYS Lab Background
• Botana curus is a FAKE plant that produces
Curol
• Curol is a cancer treatment
• Unfortunately, Botana curus is ENDANGERED
and therefore Curol can only be produced in a
limited quantity
 NYS Lab Purpose
Your Task:
• Determine which species (X, Y, or Z) is most
closely related to Botana curus

Idea:
• A similar species will most likely produce Curol
• Therefore Curol will not be limited in supply
 NYS Lab Procedure
You will Use:
• Structural Evidence (appearance of plants and
seeds)
• Molecular Evidence (DNA, pigments,
enzymes, tissue arrangement, and proteins)

You will Conduct SEVEN tests

 Test #1- Structural Characteristics
of Plants
• Use the hand lens to observe the leaves of the
four species
• Record similarities and differences relative to
Botanus curus
 Test #2- Structural Characteristics
of Seeds
• Use the hand lens to observe the seeds of the
four species
• Record similarities and differences relative to
Botanus curus
 Test #3- Microscope Internal
Structure of Stems
• Use a microscope on LOW
power to study a cross-section
of a stem from each of the four Cross-Section
species
• Record whether it is a:

Scattered Circular
Arrangement Arrangement
 Hypothesis
• Hypothesize which species (X, Y, or Z) is most
closely related to Botana curus…write your
prediction in your lab on page 2

• Provide an explanation for your hypothesis…

write your explanation in your lab on page 2
Test #4- Paper Chromatography to
Separate Plant Pigments
• Plants contain pigments which provide them
with color
• Paper Chromatography separates compounds,
in this case pigments, in a mixture
• Used to determine:
– which pigments are in the plant
– the relative amount of each
pigment
Test #4- Paper Chromatography to
Separate Plant Pigments Cont…
• Obtain chromatography paper and a cup
• Use a PENCIL to draw a line approximately
2cm from the bottom of the paper
• Label the top edge with Bc, X, Y, and Z
• Place one drops of plant extract from each of
the species JUST ABOVE THE PENCIL LINE
Test #4- Paper Chromatography to
Separate Plant Pigments Cont…
• Add enough water to cover the bottom of the
cup
• Fold the paper and stand it in the
cup as shown in the diagram
• Leave the paper alone to allow the pigments
to travel
• Record observations about
the colors and amounts
of pigments
 Test #5- Indicator Tests for
Enzyme M
• Different plants have different enzymes
• Test each species for enzyme M
• Put one SMALL scoop of indicator power in a
well and add 2-5 drops of Botana curus
• Repeat the test for species X, Y, and Z
• If enzyme M is present a fizzing
reaction will happen
• Record whether enzyme M is
present or not present
 Test #6- Using Simulated Gel
Electrophoresis
• Gel Electrophoresis is a procedure in which
DNA fragments (pieces) are separated based
on their size
• Smaller molecules travel further through the
gel (fit through the pores easier)
• Uses enzymes to “cut” the
DNA into pieces and
electric currents to
separate the pieces
 Test #6- Using Simulated Gel
Electrophoresis
• Compare the DNA banding pattern of the four
species
• Obtain DNA molecules for each species
• Use a highlighter to mark all of the CCGG
sequences (the enzyme binds to these
sequences)
• Use scissors to cut between the C and G in
each sequence (the enzyme cuts these at this
location to create fragments of DNA)
 Test #6- Using Simulated Gel
Electrophoresis
• Ask for help to fill out your lab packet
• Count the number of bases on each fragment
• Shade the appropriate space to indicate the
position of each band in the gel
• Record the number of bases for each fragment
in table 1
– Example: If you shaded in 3, 7, and 8 then write
“3, 7, 8” in your data table
 Test #7- Translating the DNA Code
to Make a Protein
• Compare a protein made by each species
• Use the DNA sequences in the lab page 4
• Translate the DNA sequence into an RNA
sequence
• Use the Genetic Code Chart to transcribe the
RNA sequence into an amino acid sequence
 Analysis
Use the data to help you answer each question
in the analysis section of the lab

Make sure your answers are DETAILED…

Remember NYS makes the grading key for this

lab!!!! There is no room for interpretation!!!