Dna Isolation From Onion Research Paper
DNA Isolation from Onion!
Today, the students are going to isolate DNA from onions. You will need a blender or a food processor for this experiment. If you do not have one, check to see if your teacher does. If neither of you have one, then let me know ahead of time, and I can provide one from my home. You will also need to bring a knife and cutting board to cut the onions as well as a measuring cup. All other materials will be provided.
The first part of the DNA experiment is to grind up the onion, which is followed by a short incubation and a slow filtering step. The best strategy is to blend first, and then lecture while incubating and filtering. After the lecture, you can then finish the DNA preparation.
Materials
Blender* …show more content…
DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid. Have them write this long word, and then have each group say it! It is fun to say scientific words.
Our bodies are made out of units called cells. We have muscle cells that make up our muscles, skin cells that make up skin, etc. When you cut yourself, you damage the living cells. When a cut heals, new cells grow and make more skin. Every cell in our body has a master control region called the nucleus. Inside the nucleus, there is a material called deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. Onions have cells, too, and their cells each contain a nucleus with lots of DNA.
What does DNA do? Have you ever seen a blueprint? It is a detailed drawing that contains all of the information that is needed to build a building. Try to draw a quick blueprint of the classroom on the overhead projector or blackboard with windows and doors, to give them an idea of what a blueprint is. DNA is a blueprint for an organism. The DNA in a nucleus is the design information that makes you a human being and an onion an …show more content…
Divide liquid contents into five clear plastic cups, and give one to each group. Go to each group individually, and gently pour in an equal volume of isopropyl alcohol. For instance if there is half an inch of volume in the cup, add half an inch of isopropyl alcohol. Let students look at interface between soap solution and isopropyl alcohol, and they will see white stringy stuff…DNA! If window light shines through cup, the DNA will be easier to see. Let sit for a few minutes, and more and more DNA will come out of solution. After 5 minutes or so, let students mix gently with fork, and long strands of DNA will spool onto fork. Yes, that sticky white stuff is DNA.
Today, the students are going to isolate DNA from onions. You will need a blender or a food processor for this experiment. If you do not have one, check to see if your teacher does. If neither of you have one, then let me know ahead of time, and I can provide one from my home. You will also need to bring a knife and cutting board to cut the onions as well as a measuring cup. All other materials will be provided.
The first part of the DNA experiment is to grind up the onion, which is followed by a short incubation and a slow filtering step. The best strategy is to blend first, and then lecture while incubating and filtering. After the lecture, you can then finish the DNA preparation.
Materials
Blender* …show more content…
DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid. Have them write this long word, and then have each group say it! It is fun to say scientific words.
Our bodies are made out of units called cells. We have muscle cells that make up our muscles, skin cells that make up skin, etc. When you cut yourself, you damage the living cells. When a cut heals, new cells grow and make more skin. Every cell in our body has a master control region called the nucleus. Inside the nucleus, there is a material called deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. Onions have cells, too, and their cells each contain a nucleus with lots of DNA.
What does DNA do? Have you ever seen a blueprint? It is a detailed drawing that contains all of the information that is needed to build a building. Try to draw a quick blueprint of the classroom on the overhead projector or blackboard with windows and doors, to give them an idea of what a blueprint is. DNA is a blueprint for an organism. The DNA in a nucleus is the design information that makes you a human being and an onion an …show more content…
Divide liquid contents into five clear plastic cups, and give one to each group. Go to each group individually, and gently pour in an equal volume of isopropyl alcohol. For instance if there is half an inch of volume in the cup, add half an inch of isopropyl alcohol. Let students look at interface between soap solution and isopropyl alcohol, and they will see white stringy stuff…DNA! If window light shines through cup, the DNA will be easier to see. Let sit for a few minutes, and more and more DNA will come out of solution. After 5 minutes or so, let students mix gently with fork, and long strands of DNA will spool onto fork. Yes, that sticky white stuff is DNA.