1. Our DNA Extraction Lab By Collena and Hallie

2. Step 1 We first had to decide if we wanted to extract DNA from a strawberry or our saliva. We first had to decide if we wanted to extract DNA from a strawberry or our saliva. If you chose the strawberry you must then smash the strawberry to get to the DNA. If you chose the strawberry you must then smash the strawberry to get to the DNA. If you chose your saliva, you then proceeded to wash your mouth with salt water to collect cheek cells. If you chose your saliva, you then proceeded to wash your mouth with salt water to collect cheek cells.

3. Step 2 (strawberry) Put 15mL of DNA extraction buffer in the bag and mush together Put 15mL of DNA extraction buffer in the bag and mush together Buffer is made of water, dishwashing detergent, and salt. Buffer is made of water, dishwashing detergent, and salt. The buffer is used to break down the fat and proteins that make up the cell membrane. The salt in the solution cause the phosphate ends of the DNA to come closer together, which will make it easier to precipitate out of solution. The buffer is used to break down the fat and proteins that make up the cell membrane. The salt in the solution cause the phosphate ends of the DNA to come closer together, which will make it easier to precipitate out of solution. It works because soap and lipid(fat) molecules are very similar It works because soap and lipid(fat) molecules are very similar

4. The soap molecules will join with the lipid molecules, therefore separating them making it easier to obtain DNA from the strawberry The soap molecules will join with the lipid molecules, therefore separating them making it easier to obtain DNA from the strawberry

5. Step 2 (saliva) After you rinse your mouth with the salt solution, mix with the detergent solution. The detergent does pretty much the same thing that the buffer does, but is a little different because its an animal cell instead of a plant cell It differs because when extracting plant DNA, you must penetrate the cell wall opposed to an animal cell, that doesn’t have a cell wall.

6. Step 3 (strawberry) After applying the buffer, take the cheesecloth and filter out the liquid strawberry from the strawberry chunks. After applying the buffer, take the cheesecloth and filter out the liquid strawberry from the strawberry chunks. This will make it easier to collect the DNA when you have finally extracted it. This will make it easier to collect the DNA when you have finally extracted it. You do not have to do this step with the saliva because it is already liquid You do not have to do this step with the saliva because it is already liquid

7. Step 4 This step will be the same for both the strawberry and the saliva. This step will be the same for both the strawberry and the saliva. Hold the conical tube at an angle and add 5mL of 95% ethanol Hold the conical tube at an angle and add 5mL of 95% ethanol Ethanol comes from starches like corn, wheat, and potatoes Ethanol comes from starches like corn, wheat, and potatoes The ethanol is used to concentrate the DNA into clumps. This makes it easier to collect the DNA from the solution. The ethanol is used to concentrate the DNA into clumps. This makes it easier to collect the DNA from the solution. The ethanol makes this possible because DNA is not soluble in alcohol. The ethanol makes this possible because DNA is not soluble in alcohol.

8. Step 5 This step is also the same for both strawberries and saliva. This step is also the same for both strawberries and saliva. This is where you will actually collect the DNA from the solution. This is where you will actually collect the DNA from the solution.

9. Step 6 After you have finally extracted the DNA, then you can put it through the gel electrophoresis. After you have finally extracted the DNA, then you can put it through the gel electrophoresis. This will separate the DNA fragments and turn it into usable information This will separate the DNA fragments and turn it into usable information

10. USES This information could be used for: This information could be used for: Personal identification (identifying twins) Personal identification (identifying twins) Paternity and maternity tests Paternity and maternity tests Diagnosis and cures for inherited diseases Diagnosis and cures for inherited diseases Criminal identification Criminal identification