1. DNA Extraction

2. MATERIALS Dried split peas Dishwashing detergent Isopropyl alcohol
Meat tenderizer
Small cup or beaker
Spoon

3. Start with the peas

4. Blend the peas with water and a little salt until you have “pea soup”

5. Why do we blend the peas?
The blender separates the pea CELLS from each other

6. Put the strained pea soup in a cup Add a squirt of dishwashing detergent

7. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes

8. What does the detergent do?
Each pea cell is surrounded by a cell membrane
DNA is in the nucleus of a cell, which is also surrounded by a membrane

9. The membranes must be broken open in order to get the DNA out of the cell

10. Detergent:
Breaks apart membranes by attaching to the lipids (fats) & proteins in the membranes

11. The cell and nuclear membranes have been broken apart, as well as all of the organelle membranes, such as those around the mitochondria and chloroplasts. So what is left?
Proteins
Carbohydrates (sugars)
DNA

12. Add a pinch of meat tenderizer to the mixture

13. Why? Meat tenderizer is an ENZYME
A protein that helps chemical reactions happen more quickly
The enzymes in meat tenderizer break apart proteins

14. The DNA in the nucleus is surrounded by proteins

15. The meat tenderizer cuts away the proteins from the DNA

16. Stir very, very GENTLY!

17. Tilt your cup & slowly pour a layer of alcohol on top of the pea soup mixture
DNA will float up into the alcohol from the pea soup