Description:

In this experiment, you will learn how to extract DNA from strawberries. DNA is short for

Materials:

• Test Tube
  

• Coffee Filter
  

• Strawberries
  

• Isopropyl Alcohol
  

• Dish Soap
  

• Salt
  

Instructions:

1. Smash the strawberries in a bowl

2. Filter the strawberry juice through the filter

3. Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap, a teaspoon of salt, and 1/3 of a cup of water to the bowl with the strawberries. Transfer into test tube

4. Add an inch of chilled isopropyl alcohol into tube

5. Observe the white strands that form. That is DNA!

Explanation, Questions, and Review:

Each individual cell in an organism has a copy of the DNA pattern used to reproduce that cell. Usually, the DNA is combined within the cell, so you can’t see it. But when you create a mixture of dish soap and salt and mix it with the strawberry pulp, it helps break down the strawberry cells into individual parts. Once the alcohol is added to the pulp, it encourages the DNA strands to rise to the top and bind together, where you can see them together in one long, clear strand.