Dna Extraction Lab
Objective: The purpose of this lab is to allow you to become familiar with a procedure for extracting DNA, collecting DNA samples, and to observe the physical characteristics of DNA
Background: The wild strawberry is a diploid because it only has two sets of chromosomes. While the grocery store kind is an octoploidy because it has eight sets of chromosomes. The reason we chose the grocery store strawberry is because we’d be able to extract more DNA. Ripe strawberries make enzymes which help break down the cell walls making it easier to extract the DNA. We will be using a solution called lysis buffer which is made out of water, detergent, and salt. The detergent is used to help dissolve the lipid bilayer of the cell membranes. The salt is used to help remove the proteins from the DNA and to keep the proteins in the extract layer so that they aren’t mixed in with the DNA extract. Cold alcohol is important because it helps the DNA become more visible.
Materials:
* Zip lock sandwich bag * 1 ripe strawberry * Lysis buffer * Coffee filter * Graduated cylinder * Isopropyl alcohol * Freezer * Test tube * Plastic stirrer * Scissors
Procedure:
1. Obtain 1 fresh strawberry. Remove any of the leaves if they are attached. 2. Place the strawberry in the zip lock bag. Squeeze all the air out and seal the bag tight. 3. Gently mash the strawberry in the bag with your fingers for at least 5 minutes. Do not break the bag. 4. At the end of the 5 minutes, add 10-mL of the lysis buffer to the bag. Squeeze the air out again and seal the bag tight. 5. Mash the bag with the lysis buffer for 2 minutes. CAUTION: Mash the mixture carefully; the fewer bubbles created the better the results. 6. Place the funnel in the flask and place the coffee filter in the funnel. 7. Cut one of the bottom corners of the baggie off and slowly squeeze the strawberry liquid and the pulp into the funnel (in this case coffee filter). 8.
Background: The wild strawberry is a diploid because it only has two sets of chromosomes. While the grocery store kind is an octoploidy because it has eight sets of chromosomes. The reason we chose the grocery store strawberry is because we’d be able to extract more DNA. Ripe strawberries make enzymes which help break down the cell walls making it easier to extract the DNA. We will be using a solution called lysis buffer which is made out of water, detergent, and salt. The detergent is used to help dissolve the lipid bilayer of the cell membranes. The salt is used to help remove the proteins from the DNA and to keep the proteins in the extract layer so that they aren’t mixed in with the DNA extract. Cold alcohol is important because it helps the DNA become more visible.
Materials:
* Zip lock sandwich bag * 1 ripe strawberry * Lysis buffer * Coffee filter * Graduated cylinder * Isopropyl alcohol * Freezer * Test tube * Plastic stirrer * Scissors
Procedure:
1. Obtain 1 fresh strawberry. Remove any of the leaves if they are attached. 2. Place the strawberry in the zip lock bag. Squeeze all the air out and seal the bag tight. 3. Gently mash the strawberry in the bag with your fingers for at least 5 minutes. Do not break the bag. 4. At the end of the 5 minutes, add 10-mL of the lysis buffer to the bag. Squeeze the air out again and seal the bag tight. 5. Mash the bag with the lysis buffer for 2 minutes. CAUTION: Mash the mixture carefully; the fewer bubbles created the better the results. 6. Place the funnel in the flask and place the coffee filter in the funnel. 7. Cut one of the bottom corners of the baggie off and slowly squeeze the strawberry liquid and the pulp into the funnel (in this case coffee filter). 8.