In this lab we asked the question: How can DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it? We thought that if DNA can be separated from a solution in the form of precipitate, then when alcohol is added DNA will unwind. To test our hypothesis we first began by homogenizing our cheek cells with polar liquid, in other words we began by scraping our cheek cells and swishing it in our mouth with Gatorade. Next we added salt, and soap which lyses or breaks down the cheek cells. Then we added pineapple juice which acted as an enzyme to break down any if the proteins that the DNA was wrapped around. Finally we added cold alcohol to the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes. When we observed it after those 5 minutes were up we saw precipitate beginning to the top of the solution. This precipitate was the DNA that had been extracted from our cheek cells. This supports my hypothesis because after alcohol was added, precipitate started to form at the top of the solution.
While our hypothesis was supported by our data, there could have been errors due to not following the instruction very carefully. One example of an error we made is adding the wrong amount of Gatorade. This is because since we didn't have a measurement of how much Gatorade we were supposed to drink, some people had more Gatorade in their solution than others. This could have effected the ratio of Gatorade to other things like pineapple juice and resulted in little to no precipitate produced. A way to eliminate this error is by having a set measurement of Gatorade so everyone ends up having the same amount. Another possible error is not doing the lab in the right order. This is because for this lab all the steps were out of order and we had to put it back in the right order. It is very possible that we may have put it back together in the wrong order. For this error the only way of eliminating it would be to give us the instructions already in the right order or when we put it together to tell us whether it is correct or not.
This lab was done to demonstrate how DNA is separated for studying purposes and that DNA can be found everywhere in your body including places like your cheek cells. From this lab I learned the process of extracting DNA and all of the new vocabulary that is associated with it such as lysis and homogenization. Based on my experience from this lab, I now know how to extract DNA from cells if that is every required of me in the future.
While our hypothesis was supported by our data, there could have been errors due to not following the instruction very carefully. One example of an error we made is adding the wrong amount of Gatorade. This is because since we didn't have a measurement of how much Gatorade we were supposed to drink, some people had more Gatorade in their solution than others. This could have effected the ratio of Gatorade to other things like pineapple juice and resulted in little to no precipitate produced. A way to eliminate this error is by having a set measurement of Gatorade so everyone ends up having the same amount. Another possible error is not doing the lab in the right order. This is because for this lab all the steps were out of order and we had to put it back in the right order. It is very possible that we may have put it back together in the wrong order. For this error the only way of eliminating it would be to give us the instructions already in the right order or when we put it together to tell us whether it is correct or not.This lab was done to demonstrate how DNA is separated for studying purposes and that DNA can be found everywhere in your body including places like your cheek cells. From this lab I learned the process of extracting DNA and all of the new vocabulary that is associated with it such as lysis and homogenization. Based on my experience from this lab, I now know how to extract DNA from cells if that is every required of me in the future.
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