This module allows students to amplify chloroplast DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The length of the fragments produced can be used to infer evolutionary relationships.

The module contains the consumable materials for the extraction, amplification, and gel electrophoresis of 16 chloroplast DNA samples plus one negative control. The kit includes:
•4 plant DNA extraction (FTA) cards
•4 punches and cutting boards
•Reagents needed for extracting plant DNA
•Disposable microcentrifuge tubes
•2 floating tube holders
•Primers for the PCR
•17 ‘Ready-to-Go’ PCR reaction beads
•1 fixed-volume 20 µL Minipipet
•1 mL syringes and graduated tips
•8 sheets of carbon fibre electrode material, 10 cm x 10 cm
•2 g DNA electrophoresis-grade agarose
•50 mL TBE buffer (10x concentrate)
•8 x 1.5 mL bromophenol blue loading dye
•25 µg 1 kb DNA ‘ruler’
•50 mL Azure A stain for DNA (2x concentrate)
•8 copies of the Student’s guide (full colour)
•Teacher’s guide

You will also need several other items to use this module. Please refer to the NCBE web site link below: