Download DNA Extraction Lab

DNA Extraction Lab
Name: ______________________
Period: ______________________
Pre-Lab:
1.
Draw a plant cell labeling the following structures: cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, chromosomes.
2. Where is DNA contained within all eukaryotic cells?
3. How many chromosomes does a human somatic cell have?
4. How many chromosomes does an octoploid strawberry somatic cell have?
5. What part of a plant is a strawberry? (HINT: It grows from a flower)
6. What are the components (and amounts) of the extraction solution?
7. What is the purpose of mashing up the strawberry?
8. What is the purpose of mixing the strawberry mush with the extraction solution?
9. What is the purpose of passing the strawberry/extraction solution mixture through a coffee filter?
10. What is the purpose of adding the isopropyl alcohol to the filtered strawberry extract?
Observations: What do the following items look like?
Stage of Procedure
Mashed Strawberry
Filtered Strawberry
Strawberry with Extraction Solution
Strawberry with Isopropyl Alcohol
DNA
Observation
Analysis:
1. Why are strawberries a good fruit to use for DNA extraction?
2. The salt is used in the extraction solution to break up proteins that pack DNA into a chromosome.
What is the name of the protein that DNA winds around?
3. What did the DNA look like? Relate what you know about the structure of DNA to what you
observed today.
4. Why is it important for scientists to be able to remove DNA from an organism? List two reasons.
5. Is there DNA in your food? How do you know?