DNA Extraction from banana

  INTRODUCTION

DNA extraction is a method to purify DNA by using physical and/or chemical methods from a sample separating DNA from cell membranes, proteins, and other cellular components. Friedrich Miescher in 1869 did DNA isolation for the first time.

The use of DNA isolation technique should lead to efficient extraction with good quantity and quality of DNA, which is pure and is devoid of contaminants, such as RNA and proteins. Manual methods as well as commercially available kits are used for DNA extraction. Various tissues including blood, body fluids, direct Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) aspirate, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, frozen tissue section, etc., can be used for DNA extraction.

DNA extraction involves lysing the cells and solubilizing DNA, which is followed by chemical or enzymatic methods to remove macromolecules, lipids, RNA, or proteins.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 

DNA extraction of banana

OBJECTIVES

To study about DNA extraction.

To prepare precipitating agent from daily used products at our home.

To prepare fruit filtrate from banana

HYPOTHESIS

To extract DNA from the fruit filtrate. The DNA extraction is done by using readily available products.

METHODOLOGY

Step 1: Chop up the banana.

Place the banana onto a plate. Use the knife to chop it up.

Step 2: Put the banana into a bag.

Place the banana pieces into a sealable plastic bag.

Step 3. Squash the banana.

Close the bag and gently squash the banana until smooth.

Step 4: Add salt to warm water

Fill the glass half full with warm water. Add the salt, then stir with a teaspoon until dissolved.

Step 5: Add washing up liquid

Add washing up liquid to the glass and stir.

Step 6: Pour into the bag.

Pour into the bag. Close the bag and squash gently for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Sieve

Put the sieve on top of the jug. Place the coffee filter in the sieve and pour the contents of the bag into it. Let the liquid drain through. This can take a while!

Step 8: Pour the drained liquid into a glass.

Pour the drained liquid into a glass. Place on top of the black card. Make sure you are wearing safety glasses!

Step 9: Ask an adult to carefully add the alcohol

Have an adult pour the alcohol down the side into your glass. Watch the bottom of your cup! White strands which look like cotton should appear. This is your banana DNA – the instructions to make a banana!

Step 10: Pick out the DNA!

You can use a skewer to pick out the DNA.

ANALYSIS

The stringy substance that you see is DNA! It has been removed from the millions and millions of cells that make up the banana. All living things have DNA. The more similar and closely related two living things are, the more similar their DNA is. Every human shares 99 percent of his or her DNA with every other person. Furthermore, human DNA is very similar to that of other species. We share most of our genes, which make up DNA, with fellow primates such as chimpanzees and with other mammals such as mice. We even have genes in common with the banana plant!

In this activity each material plays a specific role in helping to extract the DNA from the cells. For instance, the detergent or soap helps to break down the cell's outer membrane, and the salt helps to separate the DNA from other materials in the cell. And because the DNA doesn't dissolve in alcohol, this substance helps the DNA clump together in a separate layer.

CONCLUSION

DNA is found in the CELLS of all plants and animals.

Cells are the “building blocks” that make up plants and animals – a bit like using Lego blocks to build an awesome model. DNA is the ‘code’ that tells those cells how to grow and what characteristics a living creature will have.