DNA Extraction Lab Conclusion

     In this lab, we asked the question, "how can DNA be separated from cheek cells and be studied?" We found out that through homoginazation, lysis, and precipitation, DNA can be extracted. First we swished Gatorade in our mouths, which was the homoginzation. Gatorade is a polar liquid, and it breaks down the cell membrane. Next, we added, salt, which facilitates precipitation by shielding the negative ends of the phosphates of DNA, allowing them to move closer together. Soap and pineapple juice were also added to facilitate lysis. The soap interferes with the polar interractions in the phospholipid bilayers. The pineapple juice contains catabolic proteases, which break down proteins, called histones, which the DNA wraps itself around. Finally, we added cold alcohol, which is nonpolar, while the DNA is polar. Since opposites attract, the DNA floated to the top. Once these steps were complete, we saw DNA.  The DNA looked like little white strands. The way that we extracted DNA is supported by currently held science. This data supports our claim because since we saw DNA, then our procedure had to work.

   Although our results were expected, we made some mistakes. One mistake was not getting enough cheek cells. We did not scrape our mouths enough, and as a result, not much DNA actually showed up. Another mistake that we made was that we poured the alcohol too fast. This allowed the alcohol to mix with the Gatorade mixture. As a result, less DNA floated to the surface. In order to combat these problems, we should scrape our mouths more and pour the alcohol slower.
  This lab was done to demonstrate that DNA can be extracted. This lab related to our unit on enzymes and DNA structure. We were able to understand the processes in which DNA was extracted due to what we learned in the Chemistry for Biologists unit and the unit on DNA structure. Some examples include the fat that phospholipids have a polar head and a nonpolar tail. Based on my experience with this lab, I can extract DNA from other organisms, such as strawberries.

DNA in testube