Guide Questions
Uploaded by
ralphandrei.dejesusGuide Questions
Uploaded by
ralphandrei.dejesusGUIDE QUESTIONS
1. What did the extracted DNA look like, and what does its
appearance tell you about DNA when it is removed from
cells?
The extracted DNA looked like white, cloudy, stringy strands that sometimes appeared like
mucus or cotton. This appearance shows that DNA molecules are very long and clump
together when they are removed from the cell and placed in alcohol, making them visible to the
naked eye.
2. Why is soap necessary in this experiment, and how
does it help release DNA from the cell?
Soap is necessary because it breaks down the cell membrane and nuclear membrane,
which are made of lipids (fats). By dissolving these membranes, the soap releases the DNA
from inside the cell so it can be collected during the extraction process.
3. Why is cold alcohol used in DNA extraction, and how
does temperature affect the visibility of DNA?
Cold alcohol is used because DNA does not dissolve in alcohol, especially when it is cold.
The low temperature helps the DNA clump together and separate from the solution, making
it easier to see as white strands. If the alcohol were warm, the DNA might not precipitate as
clearly.
4. What might happen if we skip salt during the DNA
extraction process?
If salt is skipped, the DNA may not clump together properly. Salt helps neutralize the
charges on the DNA molecules, allowing them to stick together and separate from proteins.
Without salt, the DNA may remain mixed with other cell components, making it harder to
extract.
5. Why are strawberries and bananas good samples for
DNA extraction compared to other fruits?
Strawberries and bananas are good samples because they have many copies of DNA in each
cell and soft tissues that are easy to break apart. Strawberries in particular are octoploid
(they have 8 sets of chromosomes), which means they contain a large amount of DNA,
making it easier to extract and see.
6. What is the aim of the DNA extraction experiment, and
why is it important in biological studies?
The aim of the DNA extraction experiment is to isolate DNA from cells so it can be observed
and studied. This is important in biology because DNA extraction is used in genetics, medical
research, forensic science, and biotechnology to understand how genes work and how
organisms are related
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. Based on your observations, how would you describe the appearance of the extracted
DNA, and what does this tell you about the structure or quantity of DNA in the sample?
The extracted DNA appeared as white, cloudy, and thread-like strands. This shows that DNA
molecules are long and tend to clump together, and the large amount seen suggests that
strawberries contain a high quantity of DNA.
2. How does the use of soap help break down cellular components during DNA
extraction, and what might happen to the results if soap were not used?
Soap helps break down the lipid membranes of the cell and nucleus, releasing the DNA into
the solution. If soap were not used, the cell membranes would remain intact, and the DNA
would not be released, making extraction difficult or unsuccessful.
3. Why is it important that the alcohol used in the extraction process is cold, and how
might the outcome change if room-temperature alcohol were used instead?
Cold alcohol helps the DNA precipitate and clump together, making it easier to see and
collect. If room-temperature alcohol were used, the DNA might not separate as clearly from
the solution, resulting in less visible DNA.
4. Analyze the role of salt in the DNA extraction process. What effect might skipping this
step have on the ability to isolate DNA?
Salt helps separate DNA from proteins and neutralizes the negative charges on DNA
molecules, allowing them to clump together. If salt were skipped, the DNA might remain mixed
with proteins and other cell components, making it harder to isolate.
5. Considering the biological characteristics of strawberries, why do you think they are
particularly suitable for DNA extraction compared to many other fruits?
Strawberries are suitable because they have soft tissue that is easy to crush and break
open, and they are octoploid, meaning they have eight copies of each chromosome, which
results in a large amount of DNA that can be easily extracted and observed.