Jean Beatrice Lim

LBYMATC C33A

Date Performed: February 1, 2014 Date Submitted February 10, 2014

DNA EXTRACTION: Using Household Reagents

I.

INTRODUCTION DNA Extraction is the act of removing of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from cells or viruses, which it normally resides in. It also allows scientists to produce beneficial products (e.g. insulin) by detecting genetic disorders and creating genetically engineered organisms. The DNA Extraction works in six (6) basic steps. First, open the cell or virus containing the DNA of the given interest. Second, DNA associated proteins may be degraded with the addition of a protease. Third, precipitate the DNA by mixing it with cold ethanol and centrifuging it. Fourth, wash the resultant DNA pellet. Fifth, pour alcohol and dry it. Lastly, the presence of DNA can be confirmed through electrophoresing it.

II.

MATERIALS INGREDIENTS Green Peas Pineapple Juice Liquid Detergent Soap EQUIPMENT/UTENSILS Blender Centrifuge Strainer

Ethanol Ice Cold Water Sterile Distilled Deionised Water Salt

Beaker Test Tubes Micro centrifuge tubes

Disposable Dropper

PROCEDURE

III.

RESULTS The researchers were able to extract the DNA from the green peas

IV.

DISCUSSION The goal of this experiment is to extract the DNA of a product using household reagents. The DNA was successfully extracted from the green peas. This was done by separating the pea cells from each other through blending the green peas, and breaking them down by mixing it with the liquid detergent; however, the proteins are still there. The group added pineapple juice to act as the enzyme to remove the proteins. After a while, ethanol was poured to the pea mixture and the group waited for a cottony substance, it is the DNA, to appear. Later, it was collected and placed in a micro centrifuge to separate DNA with ethanol, and the ethanol was decanted, leaving only the DNA in the micro centrifuge tube.

V.

CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS DNA extraction is done so that the DNA can be removed from the cell or virus. The blending of the peas, salt, and water helps separate the cells from each other. When this is done, the researchers will only follow few important steps, namely: (1) open the cell, (2) break down the fat and proteins, and (3) precipitate the DNA. If all these steps are done carefully, the DNA will be able to separate from its source. I also suggest other researchers to try using different product or products (e.g. onion, broccoli, chicken liver) so that people will be able to compare and contrast the different DNA of the products. They can also use other products that can be an alternative of pineapple juice as the enzyme.

VI.

REFERENCE Rice, G. (n.d.). DNA extraction. Microbial life: Educations resources. Retrieved from http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/research_methods/genomics/dnaext.html (n.d.). Extract DNA from anything living. Biology junction. Retrieved from www.biologyjunction.com/extracting_dna.htm