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Strawberry DNA Extraction

This simple method allows you to extract DNA from a strawberry and see it with the naked eye. DNA contains the genetic instructions for living things, though it is normally too small to see. By mashing strawberries in a solution containing dish soap and salt to break open cells, then pouring the mixture into a cup with gauze to catch solids, DNA is released from thousands of cells and can be seen when a few drops of alcohol are added to the liquid, causing the DNA to clump together and float visibly at the surface.

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Irfan Ali
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99 views

Strawberry DNA Extraction

This simple method allows you to extract DNA from a strawberry and see it with the naked eye. DNA contains the genetic instructions for living things, though it is normally too small to see. By mashing strawberries in a solution containing dish soap and salt to break open cells, then pouring the mixture into a cup with gauze to catch solids, DNA is released from thousands of cells and can be seen when a few drops of alcohol are added to the liquid, causing the DNA to clump together and float visibly at the surface.

Uploaded by

Irfan Ali
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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Strawberry

DNA
Extraction
All living things have DNA: the chemical instructions on how to make a living thing.
Although you might think DNA is too small to be visible, it can easily be seen with
the naked eye when collected from thousands of cells. This simple method allows
you to extract DNA from a strawberry and actually see it.

What does DNA stand for? What does DNA do?


DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. Our genes are made up of DNA, and DNA contains our
unique genetic code. Like a recipe book or instructions
DNA is a long molecule in the shape of a double helix -
for lego, DNA holds the instructions for making all our
two spirals twisting around each other. These spirals are
proteins, which do all the jobs in our bodies.
the backbone of the DNA, and are made up of sugars
and phosphates. The spirals are connected by chemicals Genes in common
known as bases, which stretch between the spirals like the
rungs of a ladder. DNA has four types of bases: You don’t look much like a fly or a worm. But, believe it or
adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). not, you share genes with both of them - and with every
A and T always join together, as do G and C. other living thing. Scientists study the genes in bacteria,
fish, chimpanzees and other living things to learn more
about humans.
How much DNA do you share with these living things?

98% 85% 36%


Chimpanzee Zebrafish Fruit fly

21% 15% 7%
Round Worm Mustard grass Bacteria
Materials
• Strawberries • Rubber band
• Zip-closure sandwich bag • Test tube (or smaller cup)
• DNA extracting solution • Dropper (or spoon)
(mix about 1 tablespoon of dish detergent and 1
• Denatured alcohol
teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of water)
e.g. methylated spirits or rubbing alcohol - put in the
• Plastic cup freezer for best results.
• Gauze, cheesecloth or coffee filter • Paper towels

Procedure

1 2 3

Place a strawberry in a zip-closure Mash the strawberry through Add 2 tablespoons of the DNA
bag and remove most of the air the bag in your hand. Do not hit extracting solution
before you seal the bag. against the table as this might
damage the DNA.
4 5 6

Continue mixing and mashing the Place a piece of gauze over the Carefully pour the strawberry
bag in your hand. opening of the cup, securing it mixture into the cup making sure
with a rubber band. to catch the solids with the gauze.

7 8 9

Take a dropper or spoonful of the Add a dropper for spoonful of the Observe the line between the
liquid in the cup and place in the alcohol to the test tube. Take care strawberry mixture and the
test tube. not to tilt or tip the test tube; do alcohol.
not mix the two liquids.

You will notice a white thread-like cloud appearing at this line. This is strawberry
DNA. The DNA will clump together and float to the top of the alcohol layer.

Why do we use the dishwashing liquid? What does the alcohol contribute to the
The dishwashing liquid bursts open the cells of the
experiment?
strawberries, releasing the DNA. When molecules are insoluble (unable to be dissolved),
they clump together and become visible. DNA is not
soluble in alcohol; therefore, the DNA strands clump
Why do we use the salt? together and become visible to the naked eye.
It ensures that the proteins in the cell are kept separate
from the DNA.

For further details, please visit:


CRICOS Provider 00025B

Institute for Molecular Bioscience


www.imb.uq.edu.au

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