Strawberry Dna Extraction Lab Worksheet Answer Key

Are you looking for a fun and educational activity to teach your students about DNA extraction? Look no further than the strawberry DNA extraction lab! This lab is a great way to introduce your students to the basics of DNA while also giving them a hands-on experience with a scientific experiment.

What is DNA?

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the genetic material that makes up all living organisms. It is a long, double-stranded molecule that contains all of the instructions necessary for an organism to grow, develop, and function. DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell and is organized into structures called chromosomes.

Why Extract DNA from Strawberries?

Strawberries are a great source of DNA because they have eight copies of each chromosome, making it easier to extract and see the DNA. Additionally, they have a high water content, which makes it easier to break down the cell walls and extract the DNA. This makes strawberries an ideal choice for a DNA extraction lab.

Materials Needed for the Lab

Before you begin the lab, you'll need to gather some materials. Here's what you'll need:

Fresh or frozen strawberries
Isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher)
Dish soap
Salt
Coffee filter
Plastic baggie
Ziplock baggie
Pipette
Test tube or clear plastic cup

Lab Procedure

Now that you have your materials, it's time to begin the lab. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Related Strawberry

Start by placing a few strawberries in a plastic baggie and crushing them with your hands. You want to break down the cell walls and release the DNA, so make sure to crush them thoroughly.
Add a teaspoon of dish soap to the baggie and mix it around. The dish soap will help break down the cell membranes and release the DNA.
Add a pinch of salt to the baggie and mix it around. The salt will help the DNA clump together, making it easier to see.
Place a coffee filter inside a clear plastic cup or test tube. Pour the strawberry mixture into the coffee filter, being careful not to overflow the cup.
Use a pipette to carefully add isopropyl alcohol to the mixture. You want to add enough alcohol to create a layer on top of the strawberry mixture.
Wait a few minutes for the DNA to rise to the top of the alcohol layer. You should see a white, stringy substance floating on top of the alcohol.
Carefully use a toothpick or pipette to remove the DNA from the alcohol layer and place it on a paper towel to dry.

Lab Worksheet Answer Key

Here are the answers to the worksheet questions:

What is DNA? Answer: DNA is the genetic material that makes up all living organisms.
Why is it important to extract DNA from a strawberry? Answer: Strawberries have a high water content and eight copies of each chromosome, making it easier to extract and see the DNA.
What materials are needed for the lab? Answer: Fresh or frozen strawberries, isopropyl alcohol, dish soap, salt, coffee filter, plastic baggie, ziplock baggie, pipette, test tube or clear plastic cup.
What is the purpose of the dish soap in the lab? Answer: The dish soap helps break down the cell membranes and release the DNA.
What is the purpose of the salt in the lab? Answer: The salt helps the DNA clump together, making it easier to see.
What is the purpose of the coffee filter in the lab? Answer: The coffee filter helps separate the DNA from the rest of the strawberry mixture.
What is the purpose of the isopropyl alcohol in the lab? Answer: The isopropyl alcohol helps the DNA rise to the top of the mixture.

Conclusion

The strawberry DNA extraction lab is a fun and educational activity that can teach your students about the basics of DNA. By following the lab procedure and answering the worksheet questions, your students can learn about the importance of DNA extraction and gain a better understanding of how DNA works. So why not give the strawberry DNA extraction lab a try in your classroom today?