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Extracting Dna

This document provides instructions for extracting DNA from strawberries using common household materials. Students will smash strawberries and mix them with a solution containing dish soap, salt water, and detergent to break open the cells and release the DNA. The mixture is then filtered and rubbing alcohol is slowly added, which causes the DNA to precipitate out and become visible as stringy white strands between the liquid and alcohol layers. The goal is to observe strawberry DNA and understand how chemicals can be used to extract it.

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Iya Alabastro
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152 views

Extracting Dna

This document provides instructions for extracting DNA from strawberries using common household materials. Students will smash strawberries and mix them with a solution containing dish soap, salt water, and detergent to break open the cells and release the DNA. The mixture is then filtered and rubbing alcohol is slowly added, which causes the DNA to precipitate out and become visible as stringy white strands between the liquid and alcohol layers. The goal is to observe strawberry DNA and understand how chemicals can be used to extract it.

Uploaded by

Iya Alabastro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EARTH & LIFE SCIENCE

Second Grading Period – First Semester


Project #1: (Extracting DNA from a Strawberry)

INTRODUCTION

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the cells hereditary material that contains instruction
for the development of growth and reproduction. All living things consists of DNA that is passed
from generation to generation. In this science experiment, you can make your own DNA extraction
kit from household chemicals and use it to extract DNA from strawberries for you to study and
observe how DNA extraction works.

OBJECTIVES

1. Extract the DNA of a strawberry using household products.


2. Identify the role of chemicals in the process of extracting DNA.
3. Observe a large sample of DNA.

MATERIALS

1. Measuring cup
2. Measuring spoons
3. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, 70% (1/2 cup)
4. Salt (1/2 tsp.)
5. Water
6. Dishwashing liquid (1 tbsp.)
7. Liquid detergent you use for hand washing dishes (e.g., Dawn®)
8. Glass or small bowl
9. Cheesecloth
10. Funnel
11. Tall drinking glass
12. Strawberries (3 pcs.)
13. Re-sealable plastic sandwich bag
14. Test tube or small glass jar, e.g., spice jar or baby food jar
15. Bamboo skewer or other thin rod. They are available at grocery stores. You can also use
toothpick as an alternative if your test tube or small glass jar is no taller than a toothpick.
16. Lab notebook

PROCEDURE

1. Remove the green stems from three strawberries, put the strawberries in a plastic, re-
sealable sandwich bag, and push out all the extra air. Seal the bag tightly.

2. With your fingers, squeeze and smash the strawberries for 2 minutes.

3. Add 3 tbsp. of the extraction liquid you made in step 2 to the strawberries in the bag. Push
out all the extra air and reseal the bag.The liquid detergent will help break the strawberry
cells open, allowing the DNA to spill out and the salt helps create an environment where
the different strands of DNA can gather together in a clump, making it easier for you to
see them.

4. Squeeze the strawberry mixture with your fingers for 1 minute.


a. Do you notice any differences in the mixture after mixing it for 1 minute?
b. After this the strawberries should look like Figure 4 below.

5. Pour the strawberry mixture from the bag into the funnel. Let it drip into the glass until
there is very little liquid left in the funnel (i.e., only wet pulp remains).
a. You may need to be patient as it can take some time for the liquid to filter through the
cheesecloth.
b. Be sure not to let any pulp go around the cheesecloth and end up in the drinking glass
below. If this happens, you will need to pour the liquid through the cheesecloth again, into
a new drinking glass.
6. Throw away the cheesecloth and the strawberry pulp inside. Pour the contents of the glass
into the test tube or small glass jar so it is 1/4 full.

7. Tilt the test tube or jar and very slowly pour ¼ cup of cold rubbing alcohol down the side.

a. The alcohol should form approximately a one-inch deep layer on top of the strawberry
liquid.

b. If you have a small test tube or jar you will not need all of the alcohol.
c. Do not let the alcohol and strawberry liquid mix.
d. The DNA collects between the two layers. DNA does not dissolve in alcohol. When
alcohol is added to the mixture, the rest of the mixture, except for the DNA, stays in
solution, while the DNA precipitates out into the alcohol layer.
8. Study the mixture inside of the test tube or jar. The strawberry DNA will appear as gooey
clear/white stringy stuff. Do you see anything in the jar that might be strawberry DNA? If
so, where in the jar is it?
a. Hint: You know that the DNA precipitates into the alcohol layer, so that is probably
where you will see some DNA.
b. Record your observations in your lab notebook.
CONCLUSION

We have seen in the experiment that we are able to get the DNA of the strawberry using
household materials. With this, learning about genetics and genetic engineering without using
expensive equipment. This will be useful for experimental and industrial purposes, by using
genetic engineering to the product.

REFERENCE

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-
ideas/BioChem_p015/biotechnology-techniques/strawberry-dna#procedure

https://youtu.be/67KXatgoNKs

Submitted by:

11 – ICT TORVALDS

 ALEON
 BUNAO
 ALABASTRO
 TURA
 ARCILLA
 CAJUSAY

Submitted to:

Ms. Kimberly Mae S. Isaac

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