DNA EXTRACTION LAB

Introduction DNA is the genetic information that guides the development and functioning of all living things. Many aspects of genetic research require the extraction and isolation of DNA from cells of various organisms. In this lab, you will use household materials to extract DNA from strawberry, iwi or banana. Materials !" m# plastic tube mortar pestle bea ers cheesecloth or coffee filter glass stirring rod plastic micropipette Procedure (. In a ("" m# bea er, add and mix the following to ma e the DNA extraction solution) *! m# dish detergent *( m# salt solution *+,- m# distilled water .total volume should be /"m#0 1Mix gently by stirring with the glass rod .2e careful not to create any bubbles in the detergent.0 ,. 3ut a , cm/ section of strawberry$banana$onion into small pieces and mince them using the mortar and pestle until the mixture becomes a smooth mush. 4ou may pour a small amount of the DNA extraction solution into the mortar to help in this process. /. Add the mixture to the DNA extraction solution in the bea er and mix thoroughly by stirring with the glass rod for /" seconds. .5he fewer bubbles the better your results.0 -. 6ilter the mixture through , layers of cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a clean bea er. 3ollect about ," m# of filtrate. !. Add ! m# of meat tenderi%er solution to the filtrate and swirl to mix. 7. 5ransfer filtrate into a clean !" m# plastic tube. 8. 9sing the plastic micropipette, slowly add an equal volume of &!' ethanol$ispropanol down the side of the tube and into the filtrate. 5he ethanol should sit on top of the filtrate, forming two layers. Be careful to not mix the layers. :. #et the solution sit for +! minutes without disturbing. .A white, mucus*li e substance should appear between the two layers. 5hat;s the DNA<0 &. =lowly swirl the glass rod at the interface of the two layers to spool the DNA onto the rod. strawberry$ iwi$banana dish detergent meat tenderi%er distilled water salt solution &!' ethanol$isopropanol

(Please wash all equipment. Do not throw away the plastic tube and micropipette. They are to be re-used.)

Post-Lab Questions (. Describe the DNA you extracted. If DNA is a rigid structure, how does it coil tightly into a small space> ?hy do the DNA strands you extracted appear flexible and can be spool onto a glass rod> .@9) / mar s0

,. ?hat was the purpose of each of the following reagents in the extraction of DNA> .@9) - mar s0 Reagent salt .Na3l0 Purpose

dish detergent

meat tenderi%er

ethanol$isopropanol

/. 3ould the order of the procedure be changed> Axplain. .I$5) , mar s0

-. If you wanted to extract DNA from a living person. ?hat cells would you use and why> .I$5) , mar s0

!. Bive two reasons why it might be important to extract and isolate DNA in a lab. .Cint) 5hin about the inds of research$lab processes that might require DNA to be isolated.0 .I$5) , mar s0

7. Identify two possible sources of error in this lab and discuss the possible effects each might have on the results. .I$5) , mar s0