What materials do you need to extract DNA from a strawberry?
What materials do you need to extract DNA from a strawberry?
Experiment Materials
- Strawberry.
- Isopropyl alcohol (5 mL)
- Dish soap (10 mL)
- Salt (1/4 tsp)
- Zipper-lock bag.
- Strainer.
- Water (90 mL)
- Measuring cups and spoons.
How much DNA is extracted from strawberries?
Each little piece of a living thing, known as a cell, has DNA in it. In humans each of these cells have 2 copies of the DNA, but in strawberries each of these have 8 copies of the DNA (scientists call this octoploid). That means strawberries have 4 times as many copies of DNA as humans, making it 4 times easier to see!
Why was a strawberry used for the DNA extraction?
Why use strawberries? Strawberries are octoploid, meaning that their cells each have eight duplicate copies of each chromosome. This gives the cells a lot of DNA, which means it is easier to extract a large amount of DNA that is visible to the naked eye.
What fruits can you extract DNA from?
Bananas, kiwis and strawberries all work well. (Remove the skin of the bananas and kiwi, we just want the insides!) Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix the washing up liquid, salt and tap water.
Where was the DNA in the strawberry?
Observe the line between the strawberry mixture and the alcohol. You will notice a white thread-like cloud appearing at this line. This is strawberry DNA. The DNA will clump together and float to the top of the alcohol layer.
How do you remove DNA from a strawberry?
Place the coffee filter inside the other plastic cup. Put the strawberries into the plastic bag, seal it and gently smash it for about two minutes. Completely crush the strawberries. This starts to break open the cells and release the DNA.
Where is the DNA in strawberries?
Within a few seconds, watch for the development of a white cloudy substance (DNA) in the top layer above the strawberry extract layer. Reseal the bag and gently smash for another minute (avoid making too many soap bubbles).
What type of DNA is in strawberries?
octoploid
The DNA found in strawberry cells can be extracted using common, everyday materials. Strawberries are soft and easy to pulverize. Strawberries have large genomes; they are octoploid, which means they have eight of each type of chromosome in each cell.
What chemicals are used in DNA fingerprinting?
Ethidium bromide (EtBr) is a large, flat basic molecule that resembles a DNA base pair. Because of its chemical structure, it can intercalate (or insert) into a DNA strand. Ethidium bromide is commonly used in molecular biology laboratories to stain electrophoresis gels.
Why to use a strawberry for DNA extraction?
Ripe strawberries are an excellent source for extracting DNA because they are easy to pulverize and contain enzymes called pectinases and cellulases that help to break down cell walls. And most important, strawberries have eight copies of each chromosome (they are octoploid), so there is a lot of DNA to isolate.
Why is Strawberry DNA easier to extract?
While other fruits are soft and just as easy to pulverize, strawberries are the perfect choice for a DNA extraction lab for two reasons: they yield more DNA than any other fruits, and they are octoploid, meaning that they have eight copies of each type of DNA chromosome. These special circumstances make strawberry DNA easy to extract and see.
How can you extract DNA from a strawberry?
HOW TO EXTRACT STRAWBERRY DNA. Chill the alcohol in the freezer. Remove the green stems from the strawberries and add to the bag. Squish the strawberries into a pulp. Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap , a teaspoon of salt, and 1/3 of a cup of water to the bag. Mix. Line the test tube with the coffee filter.
Do bananas or strawberries extract more DNA?
Strawberries have large genomes; they are octoploid, which means they have eight of each type of chromosome in each cell. Thus, strawberries are an exceptional fruit to use in DNA extraction labs and strawberries yield more DNA than any other fruit (i.e. banana, kiwi, etc.).