MIDTERM EXAMINATION IN ___BIOLOGY_______

A.Y. 2020-2021
Name: ____________________________________________ Score: ______/50
Grade, Strand & Section: ____________________________ Date: _________

Understanding DNA
DNA is the chemical name for the molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living things. The
DNA molecule consists of two strands that wind around one another to form a shape known as a double
helix. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.
Attached to each sugar is one of four bases--adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T).
The two strands are held together by bonds between the bases; adenine bonds with thymine, and
cytosine bonds with guanine. The sequence of the bases along the backbones serves as instructions for
assembling protein. Genes are segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that contain the code for a
specific protein that functions in one or more types of cells in the body. Chromosomes are structures
within cells that contain a person's genes.

 Genes are contained in chromosomes, which are in the cell nucleus.

 A chromosome contains hundreds to thousands of genes.
 Every normal human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46 chromosomes.
 A trait is any gene-determined characteristic and is often determined by more than one gene.

Some traits are caused by mutated genes that are inherited or that are the result of a new gene mutation.

Proteins are probably the most important class of material in the body. Proteins are not just building
blocks for muscles, connective tissues, skin, and other structures. They also are needed to make
enzymes. Enzymes are complex proteins that control and carry out nearly all chemical processes and
reactions within the body. The body produces thousands of different enzymes. Thus, the entire
structure and function of the body is governed by the types and amounts of proteins the body
synthesizes. Protein synthesis is controlled by genes, which are contained on chromosomes.

The genotype (or genome) is a person’s unique combination of genes or genetic makeup. Thus, the
genotype is a complete set of instructions on how that person’s body synthesizes proteins and thus how
that body is supposed to be built and function.

The phenotype is the actual structure and function of a person’s body. The phenotype is how the
genotype manifests in a person—not all the instructions in the genotype may be carried out (or
expressed). Whether and how a gene is expressed is determined not only by the genotype but also by
the environment (including illnesses and diet) and other factors, some of which are unknown.

A karyotype is a picture of the full set of chromosomes in a person’s cells. RNA molecules.
 Extracting DNA from fruit
It is possible to extract DNA from cells in a variety of
ways. One of the simplest methods is to extract it from
fruits.

Home Activity/Pre-final Exam

DNA EXTRACTION

Objectives:
As a result of participating in this activity, students will:

• Know how to extract DNA from strawberries, banana, and kiwi.

• Observe what DNA looks like to the naked eye.

• Learn that DNA is found in every living and once living thing.

• Understand that DNA is found in all the food we eat.

What to do
1. Do this DNA extraction while documenting every steps.
2. Take photos and write a narrative for each photo. Make sure that you will include yourself in
the photo.
3. Make a generalization after you’ve done your experiment.
4. Parts of your documentation:
Front page
 Title of the experiment
 Name, grade and section
 Name of your biology teacher
Introduction
Photos with narrative
Answer to the questions
Generalization
Materials   

 Banana, strawberries, kiwi (choose only one)

 1/2 cup hot water

 1 tsp salt

 1/2 tsp liquid dishwashing soap

  rezealable zip-lock

 very cold rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) placed in freezer ahead of time (30 minutes
before using it)

 coffee filter/ table napkin, clean cloth

 clear glass container

 stirrer

Extracting DNA in 10 Easy Steps

1. Mash the fruits in the rezealable bag for about a minute until all the lumps are gone and it
almost looks like pudding.
2. Fill a cup with the hot water and salt.

3. Pour the saltwater mix into the bag. Close the bag and very gently squeeze and move the
saltwater and fruits mash together. Do this for 30 to 45 seconds.

4. Add the dishwashing soap into the bag and gently mix the contents. Try to avoid making too
much foam.

5. Place the coffee filter in a clear glass cup, securing the top of the filter around the lip of the cup.

6. Pour the mix into the filter and let it sit until all of the liquid drips down into the cup.

7. Remove and discard the used coffee filter.

8. Tilt the glass and slowly add cold alcohol down the side of the cup. You want the alcohol to
form a layer on top of the banana mix, staying separated, so be careful not to pour it too fast.
Make a layer of alcohol that is 2.5-5cm (1-2in) thick.

9. After the alcohol layer is set up, wait for eight minutes. You may see some bubbles and cloudy
material moving around in the alcohol. This is the DNA pieces clumping together.

10. Use the stirrer to start poking the cloudy stuff in the alcohol layer. Spin the stirrer it in place to
start gathering the cloudy stuff. When you are done, take a closer look at the stuff on the stirrer.
You are looking at DNA!

Questions
1. What did the DNA look like?
2. How small is the DNA and why can we see it now?
3. How the DNA was extracted using alcohol?
4. What is the structure of DNA and why does it look like a folded thread?
5. What was the purpose of mashing up the fruits?
6. What does the extraction buffer do? (Hint: Extraction buffer contains soap. What does soap
do when you wash your hands?)
7. What does the filter do?
8. Is DNA found in all living or once living cells?
9. Since the fruits were once living, and we extracted DNA from them, what does this mean
about the foods we eat?