DNA contains the instructions for the proteins needed for cells to survive
Title: Rudolf II of Habsburg as Vertumnus
Creator: Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Date Created: 1590
Location Created: Prague, Czech Republic
artist: Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Emperor Rudolf II as Vertumnus, the Roman god of the seasons, growth, plants and fruit. The portrait is meant as an imperial allegory, corresponding with Arcimboldos series of the seasons, with the Emperor here seen as ruler of them all. The variety of flowers and fruits from all seasons signify that a golden era has returned under the Emperors rule.
After the death of Emperor Rudolf II in 1612 the painting stayed at Prague where it is recorded in the inventory of the imperial collections in 1621 and 1635. It was later taken as war booty by the Swedish army in 1648.
Differences in genomes differentiates banana cells from human cells, and the organization and structure of the DNA is crucial in how genes are activated and how a cell survives and functions.
Today we reviewed how DNA is organized in the cell, and the chemical structure of DNA. Using this knowledge, we conducted an experiment to extract DNA from 3 fruits - banana, kiwi and strawberry. We hypothesized which fruits have larger genomes and why - based on observations of the fruits, the plants themselves, and the native regions where the plants originate. Each step of the extraction was discussed based on the structure of the cells and the chemistry of DNA. Each student should finish the experiment by recording their final observations in their notebooks and recording the amount of DNA extracted for each fruit (using a graduated cylinder). We will finish our discussion on this experiment and genome organization next lesson.