In this lab, we asked the question: How DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it? We found that DNA becomes visible during precipitation, when we gently poured alcohol into the Gatorade, it rises up from the Gatorade into the alcohol. First, we swished Gatorade in our mouth, after we gently scrapped the inside of our mouths, which was homogenization. Then, we spit it into the cup and added an enzyme (pineapple juice) and soap, which was lysis. Then precipitation occurred once we slowly poured cold alcohol into the Gatorade. Since DNA is polar and so is water, the DNA was dissolved in the water. Once it came in contact with the non polar alcohol, it was able to form into visible stringy clumps with oxygen. This supports our hypothesis, because we predicted the DNA would become visible during precipitation.
While our hypothesis was supported by our data, there could have been a few errors. First, the alcohol could have mixed with the Gatorade if you poured it too hard. That would cause the DNA to remain unseen because it would not rise to the top. Second, there could have been too much Gatorade and/or too little cheek cells . That could have caused the DNA to not show up or not float up to the alcohol during precipitation. Due to these errors, in future experiments, I would recommend to have a measured amount of Gatorade and wipe the inside of the cheek with cotton around ten times. To solve the Gatorade and alcohol mixing, you should tilt the Gatorade test tube and let the alcohol trickle in.
This lab was done to demonstrate that DNA is found in all cells, and it is possible to make it visible during precipitation. From this lab I learnt that the protocol for DNA involves three steps: homogenization (where we added a protease and enzyme), lysis, and precipitation, which helps me understand the concept of DNA extraction that many scientists use. Based on my experience from this lab, I understand the basic methods scientists use to extract DNA, and a LOT or DNA is inside cells.
While our hypothesis was supported by our data, there could have been a few errors. First, the alcohol could have mixed with the Gatorade if you poured it too hard. That would cause the DNA to remain unseen because it would not rise to the top. Second, there could have been too much Gatorade and/or too little cheek cells . That could have caused the DNA to not show up or not float up to the alcohol during precipitation. Due to these errors, in future experiments, I would recommend to have a measured amount of Gatorade and wipe the inside of the cheek with cotton around ten times. To solve the Gatorade and alcohol mixing, you should tilt the Gatorade test tube and let the alcohol trickle in.
This lab was done to demonstrate that DNA is found in all cells, and it is possible to make it visible during precipitation. From this lab I learnt that the protocol for DNA involves three steps: homogenization (where we added a protease and enzyme), lysis, and precipitation, which helps me understand the concept of DNA extraction that many scientists use. Based on my experience from this lab, I understand the basic methods scientists use to extract DNA, and a LOT or DNA is inside cells.
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