DNA Extraction Lab

In this lab, our question was how can DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it? Our result was alcohol, a non polar mixture and DNA, a polar mixture separated into layers and the DNA precipitated to the interphase of the mixture and DNA went to the alcohol layer. During this experiment, we used our teeth to scratch our cheek cells and got a bit of Gatorade and swished it in our mouth for 30 seconds which is an example of homogenization. We then added salt, pineapple juice, a catabolic proteases, and detergent to lyse the cell membranes. We then added alcohol tocreate 2 layers. The DNA then rose to the alcohol layer and could be picked up with a transfer pipette. This supports the claim by showing that DNA can be separated by nonpolar and polar liquids.

Even though the results we got from the lab was the right result, there was some errors that occurred during this experiment. One error is this lab was the time. In this lab, we did not count exactly 5 minutes before checking the Gatorade mixture. This affected how some of the DNA did not wrap around. Another error was the amount of Gatorade added to the test tube.  We may have added too much in the test tube which affected how much alcohol we added.  We may not have added enough for more DNA to precipitate to the surface. In order for these errors to not occur, we should be more careful and follow instructions better.

In conclusion, the purpose of this lab was to determine how to extract your own DNA. This lab relates to what we learned about DNA. We learned that it can be found in the nucleus and organisms and what is in the DNA. This can be applied to other concepts relating to observing DNA in human and living organisms with your own eyes and learning how to remove DNA from humans and living organisms to make observations.