What is DNA extraction used for

DNA is very valuable. It helps farmers in agriculture in genetic modification of plants such that the plants would have the good characteristics such as being more resistible to diseases.Also genetic engineering of animals such that the animals that are produced have qualities such as leaner meat. Also in Taiwan, pigs can glow in the dark because of genetic engineering. It helps in manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and also to diagnose patients through genetic testing. For forensic use to identify evidence left behind by the criminal and to identify the dead.

Use of alcohol

The alcohol causes the DNA to precipitate. This is because DNA does not dissolves in alcohol and as alcohol is lighter than the filtrate, DNA thus can be seen.Alcohol is used to preserve the DNA, enabling it to last foe years in a tightly sealed container. Alcohol is bacteria free and thus DNA can continue to survive. This might help it last to the future where you can perhaps use the DNA for cloning!

Buffer

The cell is made up of the cell wall, fatty cell membrane and contain a nucleus with the DNA inside and lots of proteins.

The cell wall breaks after the it is exposed to extreme temperatures such as being frozen.

The dishwashing liquid causes the cell membrane to be dissolved.

As the strawberry contains an enzyme called DNase, it can break up the proteins If the fruit does not have DNase, then meat tenderizer works also to break up the protein.

The salt causes the DNA stick together. As DNA does not dissolve in alcohol so it coagulates to form a jelly like substance.

Extraction of DNA

1. Crush five strawberries ( frozen then thawed) in a Ziploc bag.

1a. Other fruits and your own check cell can also, just that fruits such as kiwi and strawberries have their own enzymes to break down the protein. If using other type of cells, use meat tenderizer.

2. To make buffer solution, two teaspoons of soap, half a teaspoon of salt and add 100ml of water(half a cup) Stir and ensure no bubbles are formed.

3. Add the buffer solution into bag of smashed strawberries and shake carefully to prevent bubbles.

4.Filter the mix with a filter paper and collect the filtrate

5. Add equal amount of alcohol as to the filtrate

6. Wait as strawberry DNA and the DNA would precipitate to the surface of the solution.

7.Use toothpick to obtain DNA and store it in alcohol.

What is DNA

DNA is Deoxyribonucleic Acid.It is inside the nucleus and it is responsible for controlling your cell parts and making sure that the cell parts does its job and work together. It is also like a blue print containing genetic instructions when the cell splits as it needs to make another copy of the DNA. It exits in all living things and it is made out polymers called nucleotides and a backbone made of sugars and phosphate.It consists of 3 million bases and 99 percent of it is the same in everyone.

DNA Rap

As you know the most easiest way to remember things is through songs. Here is a DNA rap so that you can get a summery of what is DNA.

Welcome:)

Welcome to Kenneth and Noel's blog. We are both from Hwa Chong Class 1P3. We are doing Dna extraction for our science ace and hope that this blog would be a meaningful one to open your eyes on the world of DNA and learn more about the DNA in YOU.