How to Extract and See DNA for Cheap

by Pure Carbon in Workshop > Science

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How to Extract and See DNA for Cheap

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Here's a fun and easy experiment that I remember doing in biology class my softmore year and you can do it to at home 

Question: can an average person extract and physically see DNA?

Hypothesis: I think it is possible because all the items needed to do this can be accessed at home for cheap.

Test: you can extract DNA by breaking down the multiple layers that make up a cell first you break Down the cell membrane using liquid dish soap, the soap works by breaking down lipids that the cell membrane is made out of, when the membrane breaks all the organelles fall out of the cell, but the one we want is the nucleus this protects the DNA inside so to break that you use rubbing alcohol to break apart the protein based nucleus freeing the DNA. The DNA will float to the top because the mixture it is in is denser than the DNA.

Cells: the type of cells we will be using are Prezwaregalopigas cells, otherwise known as cheek cells because they have almost no organelles and are constantly coming loose.

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Gather the following: sodium chloride, liquid soap, some glassware , bottled or distilled water, 2 cups with lids, a pen, and rubbing alcohol 

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Place 8 grams of sodium chloride in one of the glasses and dissolve with 92 milliliters of water. 

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In a second glass, combine 25 milliliters of liquid soap with 75 milliliters of water. 

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Pour 10 milliliters of the water into a plastic cup and swirl the water in your mouth for 30 seconds. Then you spit it in to the Salt solution 

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Now you combine the two mixtures in the cup with the lid. Next Add 5 milliliters of the rubbing alcohol to the test tube making sure to pour it at an angle down the side of the cup with the lid. Finally you shake it for 5 minutes

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After shaking you let it sit for 3 more minutes. What you will see is a white substance in clumps on top of the of the mixture, this is your DNA. You can use a popsicle stick to take it out.