DNA Extraction from …

Is DNA in My Food??? DNA is present in the cells of all living organisms. DNA is found in the nucleus of all eukaryotic cells Most cells have the diploid 2n chromosome number, but Strawberries are octaploid 8n. They have 8 copies of every chromosome. So, in an average meal, you EAT approximately 55,000,000 cells

To Extract DNA, You Must Remove … Cell membrane Cytoplasm Nuclear membrane Proteins Review… Cell membranes are made of phospholipids What is a Lipid? ______ Phospholipids won’t dissolve in water What do you use in your home to remove oils from your hands or your dishes? SOAP or DETERGENT!

Soap & Detergent Soap gathers between oil and water capturing the oil in a bubble. The dishwashing soap used in the buffer solution will break apart the phospholipids of the cell membrane and remove the proteins from the cytoplasm.

Salt Table salt (NaCl) is added to the buffer solution to punch holes in the cell membranes to release the DNA out of the nucleus. The soapy solution also helps removes proteins that the DNA is coiled around

How Do I Begin? Place the strawberry in a zip lock bag Add the buffer (soap and salt solution) Squash the berry with your hand to begin the process. Try and avoid as many bubbles as possible.

Extracting the DNA The larger cell parts in the cytoplasm (organelles, proteins, etc.) can be removed by filtering the solid from the liquid. Put a coffee filter in a funnel and let the liquid drip into a test tube. You want about 1 inches of liquid in your test tube. Adding COLD Isopropyl ALCOHOL (rubbing Alcohol) will cause DNA to precipitate (separate out) from the remaining liquid.

Collecting the DNA After the alcohol is added, the DNA will appear as a clear-white precipitate (fuzzy) once the alcohol is added Spooling the DNA DNA is sticky and will adhere to other surfaces A glass stirring rod can be used to spool (remove) the DNA by using a turning motion OBSERVE!!!