The question of the lab was, "How can DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it?". We claimed that DNA can be extracted through three different steps, homogenization, lysis, and precipitation, which is where the DNA first becomes visible. Homogenization was when we swished Gatorade in our mouth and spit out cheeck cells, and let the Gatorade break them down. Lysis was when we added salt, detergent, and then the pineapple juice as the protease to destroy the cell membrane or wall. Precipitation was when we added alcohol and the DNA became visible at the top because the Gatorade is nonpolar and the alcohol is polar. After our procedure was completed, we were able to see small strands of white lines in our alcohol solution which was DNA and after completing the procedure twice we got the same result. This shows that DNA can be extracted from cells and can be seen if following the right procedures.
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 could be separated from cheek cells in order to study and observe it. From this lab I learned and what an enzyme help create a reaction an eventually some DNA, this helps me understand how a enzyme works on a larger scale. Based on my experience from this lab, I could apply this knowledge to another situation if I were to maybe look at DNA on more of a molecular level, and needed to re-create someones DNA in that kind of form.
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 could be separated from cheek cells in order to study and observe it. From this lab I learned and what an enzyme help create a reaction an eventually some DNA, this helps me understand how a enzyme works on a larger scale. Based on my experience from this lab, I could apply this knowledge to another situation if I were to maybe look at DNA on more of a molecular level, and needed to re-create someones DNA in that kind of form.
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