Bio Lab Paper 2
- Submitted by: amenam
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- Category: Science
- Date Submitted: 03/24/2010 09:04 PM
- Pages: 7
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Abstract
The ability of the Ames test to determine which compound: Tobacco or Diet coke, would meet Ames definition of a mutagen was investigated. Six Petri dishes were created for the Spot-Overlay Assay, all of which contained a different strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, the two potential mutagens, as well as Tryptic Sox Agar (TSA), Davis Minimal Agar (DMA), and our positive and negative controls. The Spot-Overlay Assay showed that Diet Coke was more mutagenic. After the Spot-Overlay Assay, the full Ames test was performed. Six Petri dishes were also made, containing just the more mutagenic of the two compounds, Diet coke at different amounts, ranging from 50µl, 100µl, 200µl, and 400µl, as well as everything that was in the Spot-Overlay Petri dishes. It was concluded that neither compound met Ames definition of a mutagen.
Introduction
The Ames test is a quick and cost-efficient was to detect the mutagenic properties in compounds developed by Dr. Bruce Ames. Today’s environment is surrounded by mutagens, which are chemicals that cause mutations in DNA by changing the nucleic acid sequence, 90% of which are carcinogens. Keeping this in mind Dr. Ames developed the Ames test (Gabor, Pesthy, and Bosworth 2009). The Ames test is used in genetic testing, environmental monitoring, as well as, testing for potential carcinogens (Abstract 1). Dr. Bruce Ames defines a mutagen as any chemical agent which induces twice the number of mutations that would occur spontaneously. Among scientist, Salmonella most widely used in the Ames test due to its ability to spot mutagenic substances through their ability to revert the histidine auxotroph of the Salmonella Ames bacteria. This particular mutant strain of Salmonella had three distinct characteristics: lacks the ability to produce histidine, lacks the DNA excision repair mechanism and has an easily penetrable membrane. Another important aspect of the experiment was the Spot-overlay Assay, which detected between the two...
The ability of the Ames test to determine which compound: Tobacco or Diet coke, would meet Ames definition of a mutagen was investigated. Six Petri dishes were created for the Spot-Overlay Assay, all of which contained a different strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, the two potential mutagens, as well as Tryptic Sox Agar (TSA), Davis Minimal Agar (DMA), and our positive and negative controls. The Spot-Overlay Assay showed that Diet Coke was more mutagenic. After the Spot-Overlay Assay, the full Ames test was performed. Six Petri dishes were also made, containing just the more mutagenic of the two compounds, Diet coke at different amounts, ranging from 50µl, 100µl, 200µl, and 400µl, as well as everything that was in the Spot-Overlay Petri dishes. It was concluded that neither compound met Ames definition of a mutagen.
Introduction
The Ames test is a quick and cost-efficient was to detect the mutagenic properties in compounds developed by Dr. Bruce Ames. Today’s environment is surrounded by mutagens, which are chemicals that cause mutations in DNA by changing the nucleic acid sequence, 90% of which are carcinogens. Keeping this in mind Dr. Ames developed the Ames test (Gabor, Pesthy, and Bosworth 2009). The Ames test is used in genetic testing, environmental monitoring, as well as, testing for potential carcinogens (Abstract 1). Dr. Bruce Ames defines a mutagen as any chemical agent which induces twice the number of mutations that would occur spontaneously. Among scientist, Salmonella most widely used in the Ames test due to its ability to spot mutagenic substances through their ability to revert the histidine auxotroph of the Salmonella Ames bacteria. This particular mutant strain of Salmonella had three distinct characteristics: lacks the ability to produce histidine, lacks the DNA excision repair mechanism and has an easily penetrable membrane. Another important aspect of the experiment was the Spot-overlay Assay, which detected between the two...