DNA Extraction Lab Name:

Background: The long, thick fibers of DNA store the information for the functioning of the chemistry of
life. DNA is present in every cell of plants and animals. The DNA found in fruit cells can be extracted
using common, everyday materials. We will use an extraction buffer containing salt, to break up protein
chains that bind around the nucleic acids, and dish soap to dissolve the lipid (fat) part of the strawberry
cell wall and nuclear membrane.

Pre-lab questions:

1. What do you think the DNA will look like? Student answers will vary: snot, string, slime, etc.

2. Where is DNA found? In the nucleus of eukaryotic cells

Materials:

- heavy duty Ziploc bag (quart size) - inoculating loop, popsicle stick, or other
- 1 strawberry, 1 kiwi slice, 1 banana slice apparatus to stir DNA
- 10 mL DNA extraction buffer (soapy, - 10 mL ice-cold rubbing alcohol (91%
salty water) for each fruit works best) for each fruit
- Cheesecloth or mesh fabric - 3 test tubes
- funnel - Graduated cylinder
- glass stirring rod

Procedure:

1. Place one piece of fruit in a Ziploc bag.

2. Smash/grind up the fruit using your fist and fingers for 2 minutes. Careful not to break the bag!!

3. Measure 10mL of extraction buffer (salt and soap solution) and add it to the bag.

4. Kneed/mush the fruit in the bag again for 1 minute.

5. Assemble your filtration apparatus. Place your test tube into a test tube rack to keep it stable. One
person places the mesh over the funnel and holds it tightly as the other lab partner pours the fruit slurry
into the filtration apparatus, draining only the liquid into a test tube. Discard the left-over chunks of fruit
on the mesh.

7. Slowly pour cold rubbing alcohol into the tube, being careful to tilt the test tube to allow the rubbing
alcohol gently pour into the test tube fruit liquid. Do not quickly dump the alcohol straight into the fruit
liquid. OBSERVE

Observations:

8. Dip the loop or glass rod into the tube where the strawberry extract and rubbing alcohol layers come
into contact with each other. OBSERVE

Observations:

9. Repeat the process for the other fruits your teacher has prepared for you
 DNA Extraction Lab Name:

DNA 1. Draw and label what happened in each test tube

in the diagram.
2. What does the DNA look like? Describe.

It looks like white string or snot

Liquid
Portion of
fruit juice, 3. What other kinds of substances could likely be
soap, and used in this lab? Why?
alcohol Anything that has DNA will work. Fruits and
vegetables work well because they smash easily, but
a blender could be used for more complex items.

Discussion Questions:

1) Name one way you could improve the lab

Student answers will vary: Use a blender with specific timing to break down fruit, keep ethanol on ice at lab
stations, use the same mass for each fruit piece, etc.

2) Name two sources of error in the lab

Fruit pieces may have been varying masses, leading someone to think there is more DNA in on fruit vs. another.
For example: a whole strawberry was used, but only parts of a banana or strawberry. Some ethanol, soap, or
salt mixture may have been left in the beaker/graduated cylinder after measuring. Some liquid from the bag
didn’t make it into the test tube because there was too much of it or it spilled. Answers will vary.

3) Why wasn’t the DNA visible when you mashed up the fruit? What was added to the solution to make
the DNA visible?

Ethanol makes the DNA fall out of the solution. Ethanol is not added until the mixture is in the test tube.

4) Why is it important for scientists to be able to remove DNA from an organism? Name two reasons.
DNA sequencing- research and gene therapy- help people cure disease
Crime scene investigation- solve crimes/catch criminals etc.
Evolutionary relationships- link species based on DNA relatedness
Paternity Testing- figure out the father of a baby