DNA Extraction Lab

In this lab, we asked ourselves, "how can DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it?" We were able to find DNA from cheek cells by first breaking down the cell membranes and nuclear material of the cheek cell sample. We did this by homogenizing the cell tissue with polar liquid. We then facilitated the precipitation by shielding the negative phosphate ends of the DNA by adding salt. We then added soap to lyse the cell membranes and to emulsify the proteins and lipids of the cell. To further break down cell membranes and other nuclear material, catabolic proteases were added. We saw the DNA floating around in the test tubes, showing that the process had worked to find DNA. One error was that we put in a couple more drops of pineapple juice, or our catabolic proteases. This could have hurt our data because the cell membrane AND the DNA could have both been broken down. Another error was that we might have put in too much salt because the direction called for "a pinch of salt", which is not an exact measurement, leaving lots of room for error. This could have affected our data because the solution could have been over facilitated, allowing the negative phosphates of the DNA too close together. Being more careful would solve the first problem, and more specific instructions would have solved the second one. The purpose of this lab was to grasp a better understanding of DNA and its surroundings. This lab relates to where DNA is in the cell, which is something we learned in class. This lab would come in handy when looking for genetic disorders or for curious parents to see what a new child might possibly look like.




https://ge.unl.edu/journey-of-a-gene/knowledge/flash-cards/