HOW TO EXTRACT DNA FROM PLANT CELLS?

HOW TO EXTRACT DNA FROM PLANT CELLS?
AUTHORS:
Raquel Álvarez Fiallega, Roi Campos Rivero, Sara Miranda Seivane, Mihaela Stefan.
SUMMARY:
The expression “DNA extraction” makes us think in sophisticated investigation
teams and scientists working in important labs. However, with this work, we’ll show
you it is possible to obtain DNA from the vegetables alls in an easy fast way, with
materials which anyone can find at home.
KEY WORDS:
 DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, an extremely long macromolecule that is the main
component of chromosomes and is the material that transfers genetic
characteristics in all life forms, constructed of two nucleotide strands coiled
around each other in a ladderlike arrangement with the sidepieces composed
of alternating phosphate and deoxyribose units and the rungs composed of the
purine and pyrimidine bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine: the
genetic information of DNA is encoded in the sequence of the bases.
 PROTEÍN: macromolecule composed of polymers of amino acids joined
together by peptide bonds.
 CHROMOSOME: highly organized structures formed by DNA and proteins,
containing the genetic information of an individual.
 LYSIS SOLUTION: liquid that allows us to break the cell membrane that outputs
the intracellular material.
EXPERIMENT
 INTRODUCTION:
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, molecule which is part of the genetic
material of organisms and makes up the chromosomes when joining together with the
proteins. To extract DNA from a biological material, for example, from spinach, it is
necessary to break its cells. We will use a beater, some sodium bicarbonate and some
salt. The liquid powder will remove the lipids from the cellular membranes, leaving the
DNA easily reached. To isolate this DNA from the rest of the cellular components, we
will use the alcohol.
 MATERIALS AND REACTANTS:
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Spinach
Salt
Water
Dishwasher detergent
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Sodium bicarbonate
Alcohol 96%
Test tube and beaker
Beater
Strainer
Glass rod
 METHOD:
1. Prepare a lysis solution with 100 ml water, some washing liquid powder, 6
teaspoonfuls of sodium bicarbonate and 2 teaspoonfuls of salt. Mix properly.
2. Prepare the biological material, mixing 100 g of spinach with 100 ml of water
and grind it with the blender.
3. Filter the mixture with a strainer.
4. Mix 20 ml of the mixture with 20 ml of the lysis solution.
5. Shake the mixture hard and pour a volume of 20 ml of the mixture to a test
tube.
6. Add slowly the same volume of alcohol making it run down the glass side
7. Let it settle and we’ll see the DNA placing itself in the interface of both liquids,
just like tangled threads.
 CONCLUSIONS:
With this experiment demonstrated that can get easily a DNA sample.
THANKS:
To Carmen Cabodevila, our biology teacher, for letting us use the laboratory.
To Marta Dacal, our english teacher, for helping to translate this article.
To Educa Barrié for giving us the opportunity to participate in this project.
ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS:
PDF file with the method carried out at our lab.
REFERENCES:
Biology book 4º ESO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkjtFM_UVxk