Plant Identification: Genetic Diversity in Crops

Your students are asked to help a farmer identify a plant that will cross-breed with his existing crops.

• Easy to follow protocols with setup and step-by-step guidance
• Procedures contain questions allowing better assessment for understanding
• Allows real life application of common scientific techniques

A farmer needs help identifying a plant that he hopes to cross-breed with his crops. Your students are given DNA samples from three potential breeding candidates, as well as a sample from the farmer's existing crop. Which candidate will be the best match?

Kit I: Allows students to perform a restriction digest of four DNA samples and compare their sizes via Agarose Gel Electrophoresis.

Kit II: Allows students to amplify four DNA samples via Polymerase Chane Reaction (PCR) and observe visible bands via Agarose Gel Electrophoresis. Invludes Master mix (including primers and enzyme) and DNA ladder.

The kit includes four samples of DNA (plasmids). One representing the DNA of a farmer's existing crop, and three representing possible choices for cross-breeding.

 : Kits come with directions to download instructional material and procedures.

Equipment needed but not included: Heat block/water bath for restriction. Thermal cycler for PCR, microcentrifuge; vortex for sample preparation. Electrophoresis equipment/reagents including transilluminator/light box for analysis.

 : Kits include perishable materials, please provide a delivery date at check-out.

 : Kits contain reagents only.