Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Criminal Justice
Don Severino Delas Alas Campus, Indang, Cavite

NAMES: ___________________________________________________
GROUP NUMBER: __________________________________________
DATE: _____________________________________________________
YEAR & SECTION: __________________________________________

ACTIVITY NO. 5
VIRTUAL DNA EXTRACTION

I. OBJECTIVE

To familiarize with the step-by-step procedure of DNA extraction and understand these processes
thoroughly.

II. MATERIALS
Gadget to watch the attached virtual video.

III. PROCEDURE
Watch the virtual video using the link DNA Extraction Virtual video, and accomplish the series
of questions in Chapter IV and Essay in Chapter V.

IV. QUESTIONS

1. Why do you need to isolate human DNA?

 Human DNA needs to be isolated for a variety of reasons including genetic testing, body
identification and analysis of forensic evidence.

2. What are the 4-steps to purify DNA from a cheek swab?

 The 4 steps to purify DNA from a cheek swab are the following:
1. Collect cheek cells
2. Burst cells open to release DNA
3. Separate DNA from proteins and debris
4. Isolate concentrated DNA

3. What are the materials and equipment used in purifying DNA from cheek cells. (Insert image of
materials and equipment with their names)
 The materials and equipment used in purifying DNA from cheek cells are the following:

4. What is the solution used to “separate” the cheek cells from the buccal swab?

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice
Don Severino Delas Alas Campus, Indang, Cavite

 The solution used to separate the cheek cells from the buccal swab is called lysis. Lysis is a Greek
word that means “to separate”.

5. What are the important ingredients of answer in no.4 and state its importance.
 The lysis solution that was used to separate the cheek cells from the buccal swab contains two
important ingredients which is a detergent and an enzyme called proteinase K. This important
ingredient disrupts the cell member and nuclear envelope, causing the cells to burst open and
release their DNA.

6. After staying for warm bath, and removing the swab from the tube, what solution is added next?
 Addition of concentrated salt solution is next.

7. What is the purpose of adding salt into the tube?

 The salt causes proteins and other cellular debris to clump together.

8. What is the next step after adding solution in no. 7?

 After adding the salt into the tube, place the tube into the centrifuge.

9. After the step in no. 8, the tube will have how many layers? What are these layers composed of?

 The tube will have 2 layers. The top layer is composed of DNA and liquid and the bottom layer is
composed of proteins and debris.

10. What is the reason for the formation of layer/s in no. 9?

 The tubes spin around at high speed after it was placed inside the centrifuge. The heavy clumps
of protein and cellular debris sink to the bottom of the tube, while the strands of the DNA
remain distributed through the liquid.

11. What are the next 5-steps of isolating concentrated DNA after the formation of layer/s has been
accomplished? Answer in chronological order.
 Add some isopropyl alcohol to the tube.
 Invert the tube several times to mix the isopropyl alcohol into the DNA solution.
 Place the tube into the centrifuge and click on the lid to close it and turn it on.

12. What is the importance of the third step in no. 11?

 After the sample spins in the centrifuge, the DNA sinks to the bottom of the tube.

13. What can be observed by naked eye after the third step in no. 11 was executed.

 Clumped DNA can be observed by naked eye.

V. ESSAY
State the importance, realizations and/or learnings that the team have garnered all throughout this activity.
DNA extraction has a wide range of uses, including the identification of individuals, diagnosis, paternity
testing and analysis of evidence retrieved from crime scenes. To find out what you're looking for and discover
what you needed to know, it is indeed important to follow certain procedures and processes when collecting
and analyzing evidence, particularly DNA. Additionally, I have also learned that a variety of equipment and
supplies were utilized to carry out the experiment or examination. Buccal swabs were used in this activity to
collect material from the subject. To guarantee that the DNA will be of sufficient quality and purity for the
desired use and result, the proper processes must be followed. I also understood how important it is to isolate
high-quality and pure DNA. I learned something new about the extraction processes that were presented in
this activity that I was not previously aware of. Through this activity, I learned that a critical element disrupts
the nuclear membrane and other cell components, causing the cells to break and release the DNA. I also
discovered that several techniques were employed to separate the DNA from proteins and other debris.

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminal Justice
Don Severino Delas Alas Campus, Indang, Cavite

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