DNA Extraction Lab DNA is found in every cell in organisms To analyze DNA scientists must break open the cells In this activity you will release DNA from wheat germ in order to observe its properties first hand

Materials Raw wheat germ (hasn’t been toasted yet!) Small cup (plastic preferred, paper okay) Table salt (non-iodized) Warm to hot water Dishwashing soap Meat tenderizer (papain) Plastic pipette (dropper) Ethanol (cold)

Procedure 1) place the wheat germ in your cup 2) fill your cup up about 1/3 way with the warmish hot water 3) Next pour in both the salt & soap & meat tenderizer (papain) 4) Use your plastic pipette to stir the mixture. Stir slowly (to avoid bubbling)for 5 minutes

Procedure…cont. 5) Quit stirring & let mixture settle for about 2 minutes 6) Using your plastic pipette withdraw a whole dropper full of the clearer liquid in the top of the cup 7) Slowly add this dropper of liquid to the test tube of cold ethanol. You should begin to see DNA in the next few minutes 8) Try “spooling” the DNA by slowly twirling the pipette inside the test tube

Questions 1. Why did we use raw wheat germ instead of toasted? 2.What is the purpose of the soap & salt? 3. Would we have the same results if we used water instead of ethanol? Why or why not. 4. What exactly is DNA & why is it important? 5.DNA has been in the news a lot. Can you remember anything you might have heard or read about it? Let’s discuss them.