Bio101 DNAExtraction

Name: _________________________________ Course&Sec: ____________________
I. Introduction
In this do-it-yourself science experiment, you will be able to experience how to extract one's own
DNA at home using just few common household items.
Little bit about DNA:
Cells are considered as the building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of
around 37 trillion cells. Each cell has nucleus and other major parts like cytoplasm,
mitochondria, plasma membrane etc.
In a nucleus, the DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes. Each
chromosome is made up of DNA .
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material in almost all living organisms. DNA
contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce. Most
DNA is in the nucleus. More about DNA, please see this link:
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/basics/cell
II. Home Activity
A. Materials Needed
1. 500 ml water
2. 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
3. Dishwashing liquid
3. Salt
4. Food coloring (dark colors recommended)
5. 3 clear plastic cups

B. Procedures
1. Add One Tablespoon of Slat to Drinking Water

1.1 Pour 500ml water in a plastic cup
1.2. Add one tablespoon of salt to the water
1.3. Stir until the salt is dissolved completely
2. Gargle the Salt Water

2.1. Transfer 2 tablespoons of salt water in a clear plastic cup
2.2. Vigorously gargle salt water for a minute
2.3. Spit salt water back into the same cup

When you gargle the salt water, it will collect some of your cheek cells. Now your cheek cells are
in the cup.
3. Add Clear Dishwashing Soap

Now slowly add 1ml of clear dishwashing soap to the salt water you just spit out The
dishwashing soap will break open cheek cells and their nuclei walls and this causes the DNA to
be released into the salt water.
4. Mix Isopropyl Alcohol and 3 Drops of Food Coloring

4.1. Pour 100 ml isopropyl alcohol in a separate clear plastic cup
4.2. Add 3 drops of food coloring, mix them well
5. Pour Alcohol in the Saltwater Cup

5.1. Tilt the saltwater cup and carefully pour alcohol such a way that it makes a layer on top of
the salt water.
5.2. Wait for 4 minutes.
The DNA is insoluble in isopropyl alcohol, and it promotes the clustering of the DNA, making
them visible.
After the procedure is done, we can see filaments of DNA on the top layer of the solution and
after some time we can see white clusters of DNA at the bottom of the cup.
III. Guide Questions
1. Describe the appearance of the DNA you extracted.

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2. Summarize the main steps involved in extracting DNA from your saliva.
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3. Do you think your results would be different if you were to use different sources of DNA
examples in Banana. Explain.
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4. Among the materials you use which do you think helps you to extract your DNA?
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II. Home Activity

2. 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)

4. Food coloring (dark colors recommended)

5. 3 clear plastic cups

1. Add One Tablespoon of Slat to Drinking Water

1.2. Add one tablespoon of salt to the water

1.3. Stir until the salt is dissolved completely

2. Gargle the Salt Water

2.2. Vigorously gargle salt water for a minute

2.3. Spit salt water back into the same cup

3. Add Clear Dishwashing Soap

be released into the salt water.

4. Mix Isopropyl Alcohol and 3 Drops of Food Coloring

4.2. Add 3 drops of food coloring, mix them well

5. Pour Alcohol in the Saltwater Cup

5.2. Wait for 4 minutes.

III. Guide Questions

1. Describe the appearance of the DNA you extracted.

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