"Wait! What's in my

Mouth?"

GCS MINI GRANT 2012-2013

Christal MacLamrocWelborn Academy

DNA Extraction

Procedure for Strawberry DNA1) Place 1 strawberry in the sandwich bag and push out the air. 2) Using your hands mash the strawberry through the bag.3) Add two droppers full of DNA extraction solution and continue to mash the strawberry with your hands.4) Cut a corner in the bag, place the gauze over the cup and press the liquids into your test tube.5) Add a dropper full of isopropyl alcohol to the test tube. DO NOT MIX THE SOLUTION IN THE TEST TUBE.

Procedure for Cheek cell DNA:

1) Use a toothpick and LIGHTLY scratch the inside of your cheeks.2) Swirl water in your cheek DO NOT DRINK IT and spit the water into a cup.3) Empty the contents of the cup into a test tube.4) Add two droppers full of DNA extraction solution into the test tube and mix.5) Add a dropper full of isopropyl alcohol to the test tube. DO NOT MIX THE SOLUTION IN THE TEST TUBE.

Looking at Cheek Cells

What is DNA???

Extracting Strawberry

Cells

Does a Strawberry have DNA?

Add DNA Extraction Liquid to break open the strawberry cells

After adding the isopropyl alcohol we wait for the DNA to separate.

After mashing the strawberries they

had to be strained.

Hard at work…

SCIENCE IS

AWESOME!!

YUCK!

We have DNA!

DNA

Specifics of project including creative aspects:All living things are made up of DNA. DNA, however, is very small and difficult to see. This activity will allow students the ability to explore and visualize DNA in various different living organisms including themselves. In the lab, students will physically extract DNA from strawberries, bananas, kiwis, and their own cheek cells. Students will begin by mixing and creating our lysis solution, which breaks up DNA. The solution is 2L-distilled water, 100-mL detergent and 15g of salt. Using our lysis solution and by adding rubbing alcohol each student will be able to “see” DNA clumps from each fruit and their own cheek cells. Our lab will relate the concept of DNA and living organisms and will provide the groundwork for understanding genetics.What you expect the project to accomplish?I want to provide my students with a distinctive and memorable experience about DNA, which they’ve often heard about but probably never seen. I hope this lab will provide a solid foundation in their Science education and that this inquiry based hands on approach will result in improved performance in the classroom. What are the long-term benefits of the project?Through this lab, experiments will gain a first glance at DNA and it will not be from a picture found in a book. In addition, they will learn the knowledge necessary to conduct basic laboratory techniques.

Total amount of money required: $300

Itemization of amount:Palmolive washing detergent 25oz $3.99Salt 30g $6.99Fisher brand Kimax Reusable Test Tubes (pack of 72) $210Thermo Scientific Nalgene Droppers (pack of 100) $59.5370% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 100ml $10Total= 290.51Grade level: 7

Number of students served: 170+Currently no other funding is available for this project.

Wait! What’s in my Mouth?

THANK YOU GCS Mini Grant