Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

Learning about basic biology, cells and DNA, then extracting DNA from strawberries

Resources

Strawberries
Salt
Washing up liquid
Water
Freezer bags
70% Isopropanol alcohol (supervised and dispensed by adult)
Lab equipment - Falcon tubes, loops, filters, 5ml syringe plunger
(Non-lab equipment alternatives - plastic disposable cup, cocktail sticks, coffee filters, spoon)

Instructions

1. Make up DNA extraction solution - 1 tsp washing up liquid, ½ tsp salt, 50ml water
2. Add a strawberry into freezer bag, expel air and seal top
3. Gently crush the strawberry in the bag
4. Add 1 tsp of DNA extraction solution to crushed strawberry
5. Continue crushing for 1 minute
6. Poor remains of crushed strawberry into filter placed on top of falcon tube
7. Use syringe plunger to force liquid through filter into tube
8. Add equal quantity of 70% isopropanol to strawberry liquid (~10ml)
9. Add lid to tube and slowly rock back and forth.
10. See wispy clumps of DNA precipitate out of solution
11. Use plastic loop to fish out DNA
12. Place DNA in small tube containing ~2ml of 70% isopropanol
13. Admire the purified DNA floating in the tube and contemplate how the complete
instructions to make a strawberry are encoded in this wispy blob of goo!

Tags

• dna extraction
• science
• science experiment

Badge Links

• Scientist - Other