What was the experiment about?
The experiment was about extracting DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic Acid) in bananas by using physical
and chemical methods, and materials that were used
are found within the household. In this activity, each
material was used as it plays a special role in helping
to extract the DNA.
What did you find out?
We found out that cold alcohol helps the DNA precipitate (solidify
and appear) more quickly. Cell walls were broke apart when the
banana was mashed.The liquid detergent helps break down the cell
membrane and the salt separates the DNA from the other materials
in the cell. Lastly, since DNA does not dissolve in alcohol, we use this
to help the DNA clump together therefore, extracting it from the
mixed solution. The answer to the frequently asked question; “would
the DNA from a different source look different?” we found out that if
it is obtained from a different source aside from a banana, the result
would still be the same. Though DNA differs from one organism to
the next, the overall structure of the DNA itself is still the same.
LABORATORY REPORT 2
Maruji, Fatima Treexie B.
Suarez, Nico Allen D.
How did you go about it?
Materials such as measuring cups and spoons, sealable plastic bags, bananas, 1/4 cup
water,1 tsp liquid dish soap and salt, cheese cloth, funnel, clear narrow glass jar,
isopropyl alcohol (60%), toothpick and kitchen scale were prepared for this experiment.
First, the alcohol was placed in the freezer for 30 minutes.Next step was to put the fruit,
in this case the banana, into the plastic bag and was mashed for 1 minute until it turned
soft and wet, then set aside for 1 minute. For the solution, mix the ¼ cup of water and 1
tsp of dish soap and salt. Then add 3 tablespoons of the solution to the fruit mash inside
the bag and mix it together for 1 minute. While waiting, place the filter ( cheese cloth )
into the funnel and place the funnel on top of the jar. Pour the mixture from the bag into
the jar and let it drip until it is ¼ full. Next , is to pour the chilled alcohol gently by tilting
the jar, stop when it reaches equal volumes of the alcohol and fruit mixture in the jar.
Prevent it from mixing and just set the jar on a flat surface. Lastly, observe if there are
any fibrous cotton-like and white strands emerge. Deep the skewer and the formed
particles should stick and gently place it on a separate container.
What key takeaways have you gain
from this experiment?
The capability to extract DNA is critical for understanding the
genetic causes of disease and developing diagnostics and
treatments and it is a very important technique in molecular
biology. We have also learned that the extracted DNA looks
viscous because it is able to stick via AT and GC pairings, the
various “strands” of DNA, which are all linked together by areas
of base pairing, form a gooey mass when put or clumped
together.