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DNA Extraction Lab

Using fruit

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Materials

  • Strawberries/kiwi (at least 2 per group)
  • Zip lock bags (one per group)
  • 2 tbs dish washing liquid per group
  • 2 tbs salt per group
  • 1 coffee filter per group
  • 1 clear plastic cup (or any other clear glass lab equipment) per group
  • ¼ cup cold rubbing alcohol per group
  • 1 coffee stirrer per group
  • A few extra plastic cups for passing out materials

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ETHANOL (OR MEDICAL RUBBING ALCOHOL)

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KEEP COLD!

TABLE SALT

REGULAR DISH SOAP

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Begin with the background reading.

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE

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Pass out at least 2 strawberries per group and one zip lock bag per group

Step 1

Teacher

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Take the leaves off the strawberry

Step 1

Student

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Put the strawberries into a plastic bag. Smash it up to be as liquidy as possible.

Step 2�Student

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Create a mixture of -2 tablespoons dish soap

-½ cup water

-2 tablespoons salt

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Pour the mixture into cups for each group

Step 3

Teacher

Do while kids smash the strawberries.

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Pour about 2 tablespoons of the DNA extraction liquid into the zip lock bag. Smash it some more

Step 3

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Strain the contents of the zip lock bag through a coffee filter into a clear cup.

Set up the alcohol

Step 4

Student

Step 4

Teacher

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Pour the alcohol (about half a cup) carefully down the side of the strawberry mixture cup

Step 5

Student

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Wait patiently as the DNA precipitates out of the mix

Step 6

Student

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When the DNA has fully precipitated, remove it from the cup for further examination

Step 7

Student

Maya and SaraH’s Fingers

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Have a student collect and clean out all the cups.

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They can be reused!

Step 7

Teacher

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I hope this resource was helpful to you!

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Please click here to access the student lab sheet.

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Sincerely,

Laney Lee