Honors Biology Name: _______________________________
DNA Extraction Lab Lab Section __________________
Introduction: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is present in the cells of all living organisms.
DNA can be taken from fruit using basic household items. The process of taking the
DNA is called extraction.
Before extracting the DNA, a scientist must be able to separate the DNA from the
other parts of the cell. The fruit is mixed with salt, distilled water, and dish soap. This
mixture is then put in a cold alcohol solution where DNA comes out of the solution.
Each part of the mixture has a particular function. The dish soap breaks down the cell
membrane by dissolving lipids and proteins. The dish soap then bonds with these lipids
and proteins to form new combinations of lipids and proteins. Using a centrifuge, these
new combinations are separated from the solution. This process leaves the DNA behind
in the solution. Salt brings all of the DNA back together. The alcohol is able to take
the DNA out of the solution. DNA is not soluble (will not dissolve) in alcohol.
Procedure:
1. Add 25 ml of fruit solution up to the line drawn on the cup. (banana and distilled
water)
2. In the same cup, mix a spoon full of dish soap, two pinches of salt, and 10 ml of
water.
3. GENTLY mix the solution for 5 minutes with the plastic spoon so that relatively
little foaming occurs.
4. Pour the solution into 2 small test tubes leaving a thumbnail space at the top of each
tube.
5. Place both test tubes in the centrifuge. REMEMBER the centrifuge letter (A, B, C)
and tube number (1-6) where you place your test tube. Centrifuge for 3-4 minutes.
6. Pour off the supernate, (clear top portion of the test tube) into a chilled test tube.
Discard the remaining solution at the bottom of the test tube into the waste
container.
7. Holding the chilled test tube at an angle, add alcohol until the tube is about 2/3 full.
8. Let the solution sit for 2-3 minutes without disturbing it.
9. Using a wooden skewer, spool the DNA onto the wooden skewer. The DNA will look
like a stringy mucus-type substance when out of solution
10. Clean off the wooden skewer, and rinse out the test tubes, cup, and spoon. Place
everything back into the tub on the lab tables.
Analysis:
1. Describe the DNA you extracted from the fruit sample.
2. What is the function of the dish soap?
3. What is the function of the salt?
4. What is the function of the alcohol?
5. What is the purpose of using a centrifuge?
6. If you extracted DNA from your cells, would you expect to see a difference in the
results? Why or why not?
7. How would you revise these procedures to extract DNA from other organisms?
What other cell structure(s) might need to be broken or removed, or not broken or
removed, to free the DNA
Application
8. Give the name of a laboratory that would extract and use DNA in our community.
9. Using the internet, describe three ways a scientist could use extracted DNA.