Dna Extraction Lab
DNA Extraction Lab
Problem Statement: Do you think you have ever eaten DNA?
Background Information:
DNA is too small to see under a regular microscope, so how can it be studied? DNA is a large molecule found in all living things; therefore it is possible to extract it from cells or tissues. All we need to do is disrupt the cell’s plasma membrane and nuclear envelope, make the DNA clump together and - voila! - DNA extraction is possible. DNA extractions from onion, bananas, liver, or wheat germ are commonly used in laboratory investigations.
Plants used in agriculture and horticulture are often artificially selected for their large flowers and fruits. Strawberries are no exception; wild strawberries are not as large as the ones you get in the grocery store. Strawberries are octoploid, meaning that they have eight copies of each type of chromosome. With eight sets of chromosomes, they have plenty of DNA for classroom extraction.
Safety: * Handle breakable materials with care. Do not touch broken glassware. * If you are allergic to certain plants, tell your teacher before doing activity in which plants are involved. Wash your hands when you are finished with the activity. * Flammable materials may be present. Make sure no flames, sparks, or exposed heat sources are present.
Materials (per group): * * Ziploc baggies * Small (10 mL) graduated cylinders * Beakers or cups for straining * Cheesecloth * Test tubes and containers or racks to hold them * Wood splints or disposable inoculation loops * Strawberries * Extraction solution (10% shampoo and a dash of salt) * Ice cold ethanol (70% pharmacy ethanol will work)
Procedures: 1. Smash several strawberries in a Ziploc baggie for 1 minute. 2. Add 10 mL extraction solution. 3. Smash solution/berry mix for an additional 1 minute. 4. Filter through cheesecloth. 5. Pour 4 mL of filtrate into a test tube. 6. Layer twice this
Problem Statement: Do you think you have ever eaten DNA?
Background Information:
DNA is too small to see under a regular microscope, so how can it be studied? DNA is a large molecule found in all living things; therefore it is possible to extract it from cells or tissues. All we need to do is disrupt the cell’s plasma membrane and nuclear envelope, make the DNA clump together and - voila! - DNA extraction is possible. DNA extractions from onion, bananas, liver, or wheat germ are commonly used in laboratory investigations.
Plants used in agriculture and horticulture are often artificially selected for their large flowers and fruits. Strawberries are no exception; wild strawberries are not as large as the ones you get in the grocery store. Strawberries are octoploid, meaning that they have eight copies of each type of chromosome. With eight sets of chromosomes, they have plenty of DNA for classroom extraction.
Safety: * Handle breakable materials with care. Do not touch broken glassware. * If you are allergic to certain plants, tell your teacher before doing activity in which plants are involved. Wash your hands when you are finished with the activity. * Flammable materials may be present. Make sure no flames, sparks, or exposed heat sources are present.
Materials (per group): * * Ziploc baggies * Small (10 mL) graduated cylinders * Beakers or cups for straining * Cheesecloth * Test tubes and containers or racks to hold them * Wood splints or disposable inoculation loops * Strawberries * Extraction solution (10% shampoo and a dash of salt) * Ice cold ethanol (70% pharmacy ethanol will work)
Procedures: 1. Smash several strawberries in a Ziploc baggie for 1 minute. 2. Add 10 mL extraction solution. 3. Smash solution/berry mix for an additional 1 minute. 4. Filter through cheesecloth. 5. Pour 4 mL of filtrate into a test tube. 6. Layer twice this