DIY DNA Experiment - Student

Far Eastern University – Manila
Medical Technology Department

MTY1109 – Biochemistry
Laboratory Activity #_____

BANANA DNA EXTRACTION
Cells are the building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of around
one trillion cells. Each cell has a nucleus and other major organelles like cytoplasm,
mitochondria, plasma membrane etc. In a nucleus, the DNA molecule is packaged into
thread-like structures called chromosomes. Each chromosome is made up of DNA and
proteins called histones. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material in almost all
living organisms and contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive,
and reproduce.
The first and foremost procedure scientists carry out in molecular biology labs is to
extract the DNA of the cells they are studying – all tests, analyses and if needed sequencing
(the reading of each DNA letters) comes after that. In this lab we will use a DIY (Do-it-
yourself) technique that will allow you to extract DNA from living plant tissues (any fruit or
vegetable of your choice) using everyday chemicals you can find in your kitchen. Do not
forget to take a video of you while doing the experiment and take some pictures of your results!
I. Objectives (formulate 3 objectives for this experiment):

a. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
II. Materials:
½ peeled banana (or onion) distilled water
coffee filter (or cheesecloth, or handkerchief) plastic sealable bag
shampoo plastic cup
chilled isopropyl alcohol (90%) table salt
clear narrow tube or jar (such as a spice jar) spoon
*optional: bamboo skewer & capped tube
III. Procedure:
1. First you will need to put the ½ banana and ¼ cup distilled water in the plastic
bag, seal the bag and mash them to make your slurry.
2. In the plastic cup, mix a solution of 1 tsp. shampoo, 2 pinches of salt and 4 tsp.
distilled water. Stir this solution slowly for about a minute until the shampoo
dissolves in the water.
3. Now you will add 2 tsp. of the banana slurry to the soap solution and stir for five
minutes.
4. Next, make a well with the coffee filter and place it in the empty cup. Do not let
the filter touch the bottom of the cup. Pour in the liquid mixture and let it filter.
5. Fill the narrow tube with 2 tsp. of cold isopropyl alcohol. Very slowly, add 2 tsp.
of the filtered banana mixture so that there are two layers of liquid.
6. Let the tube sit for 2-3 minutes without disturbing the solution. You will see the
clear/white DNA precipitate into the alcohol layer.
7. If you wish to keep the DNA, remove it using a bamboo skewer (a twirling
motion works best) and place it in a capped tube filled with alcohol.
IV. Guide Questions:

Explain your answer and cite references in APA format.
1. What does mashing do to the fruit?
2. Why did you add detergents?
3. What do you think the ethanol does? Why can’t we use room temperature ethanol?
4. To extract DNA from cells, what must you isolate it from in the case of a plant such as
strawberry?
5. Look at your container, what do you see in the top portion of the liquid?
6. Is the DNA you extracted is pure? What are the possible impurities?
7. What can we do with the DNA once we have purified it? Discuss different techniques
and technologies associated with this.
8. Imagine that there is an E. coli outbreak in your area, and you would like to test the
kangkong from your local grocery store. How could you modify this protocol to
extract DNA from the kangkong (to identify the species) and check for presence or
absence of E. coli.? Keep in mind that (i) E. coli is free-living and not an endosymbiont,
and (ii) plant cells are encased in both a cell membrane and cell wall.

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Far Eastern University – Manila

Medical Technology Department

Laboratory Activity #_____

I. Objectives (formulate 3 objectives for this experiment):

IV. Guide Questions:

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