Running Head: DNA Extraction Lab

The Effect of DNA Buffer Solution on DNA Extraction

Owen Dowling

The Greene School

Lara Haggerty EEP Biology Rm.201

6 November 2019
 Abstract

In this DNA extraction lab we were tasked to extract DNA from a strawberry.

Strawberries are octoploids which makes them able to have their DNA extracted through the

methods used in this lab. Some pre lab questions we were tasked to answer are what do you

predict DNA will look like?, where is DNA found?, and what do you predict is the reasoning

behind using soap, alcohol, and salt in DNA extract? We were also challenged to try to extract

DNA using the same methods and materials from a blueberry which isn’t a octoploid. As a result

of our testing we were unable to extract any DNA due to a miscalculation in the amount of

alcohol poured in to our strawberry and DNA buffer solution (1 part soap to 3 parts water to 1

part table salt) mixture.

 Introduction

The problem we need to figure out through science is can we extract DNA from

strawberries and blueberries using DNA Buffer Solution and 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. We were

supposed to record our ability to extract DNA. I hypothesize that we will be able to extract DNA

from strawberries due to the fact they are octoploids but unable to extract DNA from the

blueberries because they are not octoploids.

Materials and Methods

The materials required for this lab are stated as follows, DNA Buffer Solution this is

composed of 1 part soap to 3 parts water to 1 part table salt. Next is ziplock bags which will be

used as a vessel to puree the berries and hold the mixture of buffer solution. Then you will need

test tubes, glass stirring rods, a funnel and cheesecloth or medical gauze. These products will be

used in the separation and straining processes of the lab. Finally you will need to obtain chilled

91% isopropyl alcohol to be used in the final steps of the DNA extraction process.

The experiment starts when you place a large section of berry into the bag and carefully

mash it into a smooth consistency (Note Figure 1). Your next step will be to add 10 ml of the
DNA Buffer Solution to the bag with the mashed berries and mix thoroughly. Once that is mixed

you will strain the extract through the strainer aparatis into the test tube (Note Figures 2, 2.1).

After all the substance is drained from the bag you will add roughly the same amount of the 91%

isopropyl alcohol as strawberry and Buffer Solution Extract to the test tube and let sit for 30

seconds (Note Figures 3,4). Then your final step will be to stir the white “strands” with a glass

rod slowly to remove the DNA from the mixture (Note Figure 5).

Results

In this lab my experiment didn’t succeed due to the fact that we added to much isopropyl

alcohol to the strawberry and Buffer Solution mixture. Our suggestions for the lab to change our

results is to use more than ½ of a strawberry and also to use less isopropyl alcohol to achieve the

desired results. In our experiment with blueberries we were also unable to extract DNA due to

the fact that blueberries aren’t octoploids. (to see steps note figures)

Discussion

In conclusion, we were unable to extract DNA from a strawberry and blueberries. We

reached this conclusion after testing through our procedures to find how much DNA we can

extract using DNA Buffer Solution and Isopropyl Alcohol. I hypothesized that we would be able

to extract DNA from a strawberry but not from a blueberry, I am partly correct in my hypothesis
due to the fact that we were unable to extract DNA from a blueberry because it isn’t a octoploid.

We were also unable to extract DNA from a strawberry because we used too much isopropyl

alcohol. These reasons are why we were unsuccessful at extracting DNA.

References

- DNA Extraction Lab Hand Out- Lara Haggerty (2019)

- Figures