Human DNA Extraction Lab Write-up

        In this lab, our group asked the question, "How can DNA be separated from cheek cells in order to study it?" Through experimentation with DNA, we have come to the conclusion that cheek cells are separated through. homegenization, lysis, and precipitation. This is shown from are lab data, evidently showing that DNA molecules were extracted from in between our solution. In fact, when the mixture of saliva solution was mixed with the cold rubbing alcohol, DNA began to precipitate in between the two liquids. Because of this, cheek cells were obviously shown in the liquid substances.

        At the start of the lab, our group grabbed cups, pouring gatorade into them, and swishing the gatorade around in our mouths in order to mix cheek cells into our substance. Once spitting the liquid mixture out,
we added soap detergent in order to lyse the cells, effectively splitting open the cell membrane in our cells. Once the DNA was floating in the mixture exposed, salt was added by our group in order to clump the DNA together. Pineapple juice, a catabolic protease, was then added to completely break down any proteins, or histones, that the DNA wraps itself around. However, once the cells are burst and the DNA is clumped up, isopropanol alcohol is then layered on top of the gatorade saliva mixture, making the DNA precipitate,
as DNA is polar, while the alcohol is not. this allowed for collectable DNA.

        During the lab, some errors occurred, but did not affect the lab drastically. For example, our group specifically did not add enough salt into our mixture, resulting in less visible DNA clumps. Another error occurred when our group slightly mixed the alcohol with the
gatorade saliva mixture, but had little, if any affect on the DNA clump. These errors could be fixed if instead of grabbing a pinch of salt, actually measuring the salt in order to reduce having too little or too much salt. The alcohol mixture error can be fixed if instead of having us carefully hold the tube to the side, having a wood post which holds it, so that human malfunction is nearly impossible.
        This lab was done in order to help us understand the properties of DNA, and how it reacts to certain substances. The outcome of this lab is essential to DNA extraction, and can be applied to the field of Biotechnology, as gene splicing is done in order to process traits in the DNA helix, and used tin order to breed and create hybrid creatures.