How An Extraction Mixture Can Separate The DNA From Two Different Types Of Fruits?

Science Inquiry Planning Using the Scientific Method

Introduction

A demonstration that exhibite how an extraction mixture can separate the DNA from two different types of fruits with distinctive amounts of chromosomes. How to extract DNA from a living organism as well as the understanding of how and why it works. How fruits with different ploidy can have their DNA extracted and will have more or less DNA extracted depending on the number of chromosomes they contain? A chromosome is a structure made up of DNA as well as protein located in the nuclei of cells. They also contain many genes. Genes basically code or cipher polypeptides, which later become proteins that then become a function for a living organism, genes are also transferred from parent to offspring.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) on the other hand, is a self-replicating 5 carbon protein that makes up chromosomes. It carries genetic information, as well as makes fundamental and distinctive characteristics or qualities of a living organism. Ploidy is the number of sets of chromosomes in the cells of an organism. Humans possess 46 chromosomes (23 maternal and 23 paternal) in each cell of their body, this means their cells are diploid because they contain two homologous copies (23 from mother, 23 from father) in each cell. Strawberries are octoploid, meaning it has a chromosome number eight times the basic haploid chromosome number. Strawberries possess 7 chromosomes, but because they are octoploid, eight times that number is 56 (Felix). This means strawberries have 56 chromosomes in total. A banana, on the other hand, is triploid meaning it has three times the basic haploid chromosome number. Since the banana is triploid, it contains 33 chromosomes because it has a chromosome number of 11, and three times that number is 33 (Khanna).

In order to extract DNA from an organism, its cells must be broken apart in order for its contents to be more accessible. In the lab, the cell walls are physically broken by crushing the fruit and combining it with the extraction mixture. The dish soap that is mixed into the extraction mixture also breaks open the cells by breaking down the phospholipid bilayers in the cell membrane. These bilayers also consist around the nucleus of the cell, meaning the soap can dissolve the cells membranes allowing the DNA to be released. The salt is also used in the extraction because it helps to turn the DNA into more visible and solid strands. The alcohol is used to extract the DNA because DNA is not soluble in alcohol, and the colder the alcohol the slower the DNA would degrade in the mixture and the more it would precipitate (come out in a more solid form in a solution).