DNA Extraction Lab Conclusion

     The problem we tried to solve in this lab is, "How can DNA be removed from a cell?". DNA can be removed from cheek cells by using 3 steps: homogenization- removing and dispersing the cells in a liquid, lysis- breaking the cell membranes and other proteins down so DNA is accessible, and precipitation- using a polar liquid to get the DNA to fall out of the solution. When we used gatorade to homogenize our epithelial tissue, soap and pineapple juice to lyse that solution, and alcohol to precipitate the DNA out of the solution, we were able to extract our DNA. The DNA floated from the gatorade solution to the top of the alcohol, and we can be quite sure that it is DNA due to its stringiness and the fact that it precipitated out of the homogenization/lysis solution. The reason why this evidence verifies my claim is that I followed the exact steps outlined in the claim and found the expected result.

    Although I can't find any possible errors in this experiment, there are a couple of things that may have prevented me from getting the optimal results. One possible mistake is that I didn't scrape my cheeks enough. This may have resulted in not getting a lot of cells and consequently not much accessible DNA. I also may have used too little soap/pineapple juice. If I didn't use the right amount of soap, I may have only broken open a few cells and only received a small amount of DNA.
     The purpose of this lab was to understand the lab process of splitting open a cell to get to the DNA. The process of DNA extraction relates to how DNA copies itself. If DNA was unable to replicate itself, then there wouldn't be so many cells with so much of it. The lack of DNA would prevent us from being able to see it (and prevent us from surviving). This skill of DNA extraction may be applied to various contexts such as jobs at genetics companies or research facilities.

In this image, the yellow material at the top of the test tube is my DNA. The clear liquid beneath it is a polar liquid used for precipitation (alcohol). The yellowish liquid under that is a combination of polar liquid for homogenization (gatorade), and liquids used for lysis (soap and pineapple juice).