In this lab, we asked the question "How can DNA be separates from the cheek cells in order to study it?" Our hypothesis was "If DNA can be separated from cheek cells, then you would be able to see DNA during precipitation. We found that DNA became visible during precipitation, when we gently poured in rubbing alcohol into the Gatorade solution. First we swished Gatorade in our mouths to get cheek cells (homogenization), then added a pinch of salt, liquid detergent and pineapple juice, which was the enzyme the enzyme, to the Gatorade (lysis). Then we poured cold rubbing alcohol into it, and almost immediately, the DNA became visible and stringy in the alcohol part of the solution. This data supports the claim because it proves that DNA becomes visible to the human eye during precipitation.
While our hypothesis was supported by our data, there could have been possible errors in the lab due to not getting enough cheek cells during the homogenization and possibly mixing the alcohol with the Gatorade solution by pouring it in too fast. If you didn't get enough cheek cells when you swished the Gatorade in your mouth, it would affect the result of the experiment because the amount of DNA that you would be able to see in the end, wouldn't be enough to see, and your experiment might not work. If you poured the rubbing alcohol into the Gatorade solution too fast, it would mix with the solution instead of resting on top of it, and would affect the DNA becoming visible during precipitation. Due to these possible errors, in future experiments, I would recommend that students make sure that they thoroughly scrape the inside of their cheeks with their teeth to ensure that you get enough cheek cells, and to have everybody very carefully pour in their rubbing alcohol to prevent it from mixing.
This lab was done to demonstrate that DNA is in all cells and can be made visible during precipitation. From this lab I learned that DNA can be made visible after homogenization, adding a protease, and adding a nonpolar solution, such as alcohol, to the solution and that DNA can be extracted from all cells. Based on my experience from this lab, I can use this information to prove that DNA is in all cells of my body and that you can extract DNA from cells by homogenization, lysis and precipitation.
While our hypothesis was supported by our data, there could have been possible errors in the lab due to not getting enough cheek cells during the homogenization and possibly mixing the alcohol with the Gatorade solution by pouring it in too fast. If you didn't get enough cheek cells when you swished the Gatorade in your mouth, it would affect the result of the experiment because the amount of DNA that you would be able to see in the end, wouldn't be enough to see, and your experiment might not work. If you poured the rubbing alcohol into the Gatorade solution too fast, it would mix with the solution instead of resting on top of it, and would affect the DNA becoming visible during precipitation. Due to these possible errors, in future experiments, I would recommend that students make sure that they thoroughly scrape the inside of their cheeks with their teeth to ensure that you get enough cheek cells, and to have everybody very carefully pour in their rubbing alcohol to prevent it from mixing.
This lab was done to demonstrate that DNA is in all cells and can be made visible during precipitation. From this lab I learned that DNA can be made visible after homogenization, adding a protease, and adding a nonpolar solution, such as alcohol, to the solution and that DNA can be extracted from all cells. Based on my experience from this lab, I can use this information to prove that DNA is in all cells of my body and that you can extract DNA from cells by homogenization, lysis and precipitation.
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| DNA becomes visible during precipitation after adding rubbing alcohol to the solution. |
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