Laboratory

Report on
Biochemistry of
Nucleic Acids
David, Isabel Maxine
Lagramada, Janelle
Pena, Ashley Gabrielle
Rubis, Peter
 I. Introduction

Deoxyribonucleic acid also known as DNA is the genetic material of all living
organisms that determines how our body will function given certain
circumstances. DNA extraction is a process where DNA is extracted out of an
object that contains the said biological component and it has many different uses
such as for forensic analysis, genetic testing, and body identification for unknown
cadavers. In this experiment, DNA will be extracted out of a fruit using common
household items such as liquid detergent and alcohol. Through this, students will
be able to appreciate DNA extraction even at the comfort of their home and will
also be able to correlate learnings from the modules and apply it in real-life
situations.

II. Objective (David)

1. The objective of our experiment was to extract the DNA from a banana and visualize it.

III. Materials and Methods

● 1 ripe banana ● Plastic fork
● Bottled drinking ● Coffee filter
water ● Plastic drinking cup
● Salt ● Plastic container
● Dishwashing liquid ● 1 glass vial with cover
● Alcohol (70% ethyl) ● Coffee stirrer
● ½ Measuring cup ● Ice cubes in Coffee
● 1 tablespoons cup
● 1 and ¼ teaspoons
● Stainless steel fork

1. Fill the glass vial with 1 tablespoon of 70 percent alcohol. Place on

ice until ready to use.
2. Place the banana in a plastic container after peeling it. Using a
stainless steel fork, thoroughly mash in 1/2 cup bottled drinking
water. Set aside.
3. Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 2
tablespoons water in a plastic cup. Gently stir until the salt is
completely dissolved. Allowing foam to form is not recommended.
 4. Add 2 teaspoons of the banana mixture into the salt, soap, and
water solution (DNA extract solution) then stir with a plastic fork
for 10 minutes.
5. Assemble the filter by placing the coffee filter in the clear plastic
cup and filling it with drinking water. Remove the wet coffee filter
from the cup and replace it. To secure the coffee filter, fold it over
the plastic cup. Pour the mixture from step 4 into the coffee filter
in a slow, steady stream. The liquid (filtrate) will accumulate at the
bottom of the cup. When all of the liquid has flowed through the
filter, remove the banana residue.
6. Get a vial of cold alcohol and slowly pour in the filter. DNA is the
white precipitate that forms.
7. To spool the DNA, dip the coffee stirrer into the vial and slowly
rotate it.

IV. Result and Discussion

The salt in the mixture works by neutralizing the charge on the DNA and making
the molecule less hydrophilic, while the dishwashing liquid dissolves the fatty molecules
that hold the cell membranes together, allowing the DNA to flow into the solution. After
mixing both mixtures and stirring it gently for 1o minutes, it will then be filtered out
using a coffee filter. A filter is utilized because it strains out all of the big leftovers, cell
components, and precipitated protein and carbohydrate. The DNA is so little that it passes
past the filter and into the plastic cup with the liquid. A less polar solution, the cold
alcohol, is needed because it makes the DNA insoluble. By adding it, it helps a large
amount of DNA to be extracted and clumps of it to form. The DNA may denature if a
warm or room temperature alcohol is used. As seen from the glass vial, the DNA
molecules precipitate and form a solid on top of the alcohol. Thousands of DNA
molecules grouped together are seen as clumps.
V. Summary and Conclusion

DNA is found in the nucleus and it determines the function of the cell and how it
will perform the function given. DNA extraction is done in a scientific manner where
processes need to be performed in order for it to be extracted successfully. A series of
steps such as breaking down the cell membrane and straining out large cellular
components is important in this experiment to be able to successfully extract and isolate
DNA from a test subject. The use of simple household materials such as dishwashing
liquid, alcohol, salt, coffee filter, and more also makes it easy for students to perform the
experiment at home and with ease for them to be able to appreciate the significance of
this study.