DNA Extraction Lab Conclusion

In this lab we asked the question: How can DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it? We found that this could be achieved through a series of steps that extracted cheek cells and separated the DNA, making it observable. The first thing we did was we homogenized cell tissue with a polar liquid, which in our case was Gatorade, which we swished around our mouths, extracting the cell from the inside of our cheeks. After taking the Gatorade/saliva mixture and mixing salt into it, we added soap into it, in order to lyse, or rupture, the cell membrane, in effect releasing the contents of the cell into the mixture. Next, we used catabolic proteases found in pineapple juice to further break down proteins in the DNA called histones. Finally, we layered alcohol over our mixture, and because alcohol is nonpolar whereas the DNA is polar, the DNA falls out of the solution as a precipitate right in between the layers, eventually floating to the top. This data supports our claim because it shows that DNA can be in fact extracted and separated from cheek cells, using scientific methods to retrieve safely and easily.

While our hypothesis was supported by our data, there could have been errors in several parts of our experiment. First, when we were pouring the pineapple juice into our solutions, bubbles were formed at the top of the solution, which could have affected the yield of DNA that ended up having. In addition, during the addition of alcohol over our Gatorade mixtures, some of my other group mates poured the alcohol in too fast, therefore causing the two layers to mix, and affecting the yield and the outcome of their DNA. Due to these errors, in future experiments I would recommend having an easier method in transferring over solutions, such as using small graduated cylinders to measure and pour solutions over carefully and accurately. Furthermore, for pouring in alcohol, or any solution into a small test tube, funnels could be used to prevent spills.

This lab was done to demonstrate the concept of DNA and how it can be found anywhere in your body. From this lab I learned how to extract and separate DNA from the inside of an organism's cheek, which helps me understand the concept of DNA and its abundance inside the human body, while also giving me a physical observation of DNA. Based on my experience from this lab, I could use these methods of extracting DNA to do other things, such as extracting other organism's DNA or studying the effects of DNA and how
it is important to the scientific world.