These were the clues that each lab group was given to help them figure out what “mystery DNA” they had to load into the gel.

A. Besides being one of the most widely eaten foods in the world, this plant has many other uses including animal feed, rubber, plastics, fuel, clothing, and food additives, and is the United States’ biggest export.

B. This crop originated in Mexico, and was being grown by the Native Americans when Columbus arrived.

C. This crop is currently produced in most countries of the world and is the third most planted field crop, after wheat and rice, which are closely related to it genetically.

D. Originating in India, this vegetable was brought to Spain over 1300 years ago by the Moors.

E. This vegetable has varieties that are purple or white, oval, or “baby”.

F. This plant, scientific name Solanum melongena, belongs to the family Solanaceae, which also includes tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes.

G. This crop contains lycopene, an antioxidant (important in protection against cancer and heart disease), especially when processed or cooked.

H. The scientific name of this plant is Lycopersicon esculentum, while its wild relatives include L. hirsutum, L. peruvianum, L. chilense, and others.

I. This plant is a close relative of potato, eggplant, petunia, and pepper.

J. The production and processing of this crop is one of California’s biggest industries.

K. While the fruit of this plant is usually red, there are also orange and yellow varieties.

L. Although generally considered a vegetable, this crop is actually a fruit, since the edible part contains the seeds.

M. This crop, a woody tree-like plant, is indigenous to Africa, but now is also commonly grown in Costa Rica, Columbia, and other warm countries.

N. This plant belongs to the botanical family Rubiaceae, and includes species such as Robusta and Arabica.

O. This crop is the second largest US import after oil, and the US consumes one-fifth of the entire world’s, making it the largest consumer in the world of this crop.

P. Legend has it that this plant was discovered by a goat-herder who noticed that his goats became very energetic after eating it; the first European-owned estate for this plant was founded in 1696 on colonial Java, now part of Indonesia.

Q. Like its relative the tomato, this crop originated in South America, and was taken to Europe before being introduced into North America.

R. Over the years of cultivation in Ireland this food had become the major food source to the Irish population. In 1845-46 a fungus destroyed the crops causing a huge famine.

S. The edible part of this crop is actually part of the underground stem; the leaves can be poisonous.

T. The scientific name of this plant is Lycopersicon hirsutum, a wild relative of L. esculentum, a very popular food.

U. This food was originally considered poisonous, and in fact is in the same family as the nightshade, a deadly plant.

V. Unlike its domesticated relative, this wild relative usually has very small, green, sour fruit.