Nucleic Acids – composed of phosphoric acid, Nucleotide – structural components or building

sugars, and mixture of organic bases (purines blocks of DNA and RNA
and pyrimidines)  Consists of nitrogenous base, 5-carbon
- main information-carrying molecules of the cell; sugar (deoxyribose), 1 or more phosphate
directs process of protein synthesis groups

Genes – basic physical and functional unit of
heredity
 Made up from DNA
 Some act as instructions to make proteins
Histones – protein that provides structural
support for chromosomes
 Associate with DNA in nucleus and help
condense it into chromatin
Nucleosomes – basic repeating unit of
eukaryotic chromatin (building blocks)
Homogenizing solution – made up of 5% SDS
(Sodium dodecyl sulfate) which is a detergent
and protein denaturant that disrupts cell walls
and dissociates nucleic acid protein complexes
 Helps release DNA from histones by
denaturing them
Ribose – found in RNA; “normal” sugar with one
oxygen atom attached to each carbon
 Hydroxyl is substituted with hydrogen
Deoxyribose – found in DNA; modified sugar
lacking one oxygen atm
Diphenylamine Test
 to detect deoxyribose
 Reagent: Diphenylamine
 Positive result: Dark blue colored liquid
solution
 Principle: Dehydration of deoxyribose and
Complexation with Diphenylamine

White onions – has low starch content which

allows DNA to be seen and harvested easily

“Blended” – blending breaks open cells and

releases their contents

60ºC – increase DNA yield by increasing cell &

nuclear membrane breakdown
 Reduce yield if stimulates the action of
DNase enzymes

Papain – proteolytic enzyme; denatures the

proteins that clings to the DNA, making molecule
flexible and easy to spool

Ice bath – to slow down the action of enzymes

found in the onion which could deteriorate and
destroy DNA; to prevent denaturing of DNA

Ethanol – causes precipitation of DNA; caused

all components in the filtrate to stay in solution
except DNA

Observations:
1. Slightly turbid solution with foamy bubble ring
2. More turbid solution with bubble ring
3. Bubbles disappeared solution less turbid
4. Presence of white stringy filament on the
interface