Dna Extraction Principles

1. DNA Extraction Principles How do you get DNA out of a whole organism?

2. How do you get DNA out of a strawberry? Plant Cell Wall: cellulose and protein matrix Cell membrane:
lipids and protein Plant Cell Cytoplasm: proteins etc Nucleus: DNA & protein

3. What does the detergent and NaCl do to the cell parts? Mashing the berry disrupts the cells and
membranes What is in the bag? Clumps of whole cells and nuclei Cell Membranes: lipids and
protein Organelles made of protein 4. Plant Cell Wall: cellulose and protein 5. DNA bound to
protein

4. What does detergent and NaCl do? Detergent: dissolves the membranes and disrupts proteins. 2.
Na+ ions break apart the protein that is stuck to the DNA. How do we separate the clumps of cells from
the small molecules?

5. Filtering -Clumps of cellular debris get stuck in the filter. -Small molecules flow thru. How do we get
the DNA to separate from the pink liquid?

6. Precipitate the DNA with cold alcohol DNA is not soluble in cold alcohol All small molecules stay in
solution except DNA Long strands of DNA spool onto the stick

7. Summary 1. Break open cells by mashing the fruit. 2. Dissolve organelles and cell membranes with
detergent. 3. Separate DNA from proteins with salt: Na(+) is attracted to (–)DNA so it bumps off the
protein. 4. Filter out the clumps with a coffee filter 5. DNA precipitates in cold alcohol and is spooled
out.

8. DNA Properties a. Texture – strands of cellular DNA are very long (thus we can spool it) b. Solubility –
DNA is soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol c. pH – ? d. Can you see individual strands of DNA?

Why do we use the dishwashing liquid?

The dishwashing liquid bursts open the cells of the strawberries, releasing the DNA.

Why do we use the salt?

It ensures that the proteins in the cell are not separated from the rest of the solution with the DNA.

What does the alcohol contribute to the experiment?

When molecules are insoluble (unable to be dissolved), they clump together and become visible. DNA
is not soluble in alcohol; therefore, it makes the DNA strands clump together and become visible to
the naked eye.