1. SQUISHY SCIENCE:
EXTRACT DNA FROM SMASHED STRAWBERRIES
ESTEFANIA JARAMILLO SALAZAR
3rd SEMESTER
MEDICINE STUDENT
U.P. B
FEBRUAR 11/
Y 2013
2. FOLDING
MEDICAL UTILITY. SQUISHY SCIENCE:
EXTRACT DNA FROM
Whether you’re a human, rat, tomato or SMASHED STRAW BERRIES
bacterium, each of your cells will have
DNA inside of it (with some rare
exceptions, such as mature red blood
cells in humans). Each cell has an entire MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
copy of the same set of instructions, and
this set is called the genome. Scientists
study DNA for many reasons: They can ESTEFANIA JARAMILLO
figure out how the instructions stored in
SALAZAR
DNA help your body to function properly.
They can use DNA to make new TEACHER
medicines or genetically modify crops to LINA MARÍA MARTINEZ
be resistant to insects. They can solve
SANCHEZ
who is a suspect of a crime, and can
even use ancient DNA to reconstruct
evolutionary histories! MEDICINE STUDENT
To get the DNA from a cell, scientists BIBLIOGRAPH 3rd SEMESTER
typically rely on one of many DNA Y
extraction kits available from - Scientific American, a Division of Nature
America, Inc.” Squishy Science: Extract DNA
biotechnology companies. During a from Smashed Strawberries.” Scientific American,
DNA extraction, a detergent will cause January 31, 2013. visited on the internet portal:
the cell to pop open, or lyse, so that the http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=squishy-science-extract-dna-from-smashed-strawberries
DNA is released into solution. Then
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research
alcohol added to the solution causes the (A*STAR), Singapore. "Nucleus structure crucial
DNA to precipitate out. In this activity, to understanding diseases discovered.“
strawberries will be used because each S c ie nc e Da ily , 7 Feb. 2013. Web. visited on the
strawberry cell has eight copies of the internet portal:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/13
FEBRUARY 11/
2013
genome, giving them a lot of DNA per 0208110255.htm
cell. (Most organisms only have one
genome copy per cell.)
3. FOLDING
SQUISHY SCIENCE: NUCLEUS STRUCTURE
EXTRACT DNA FROM CRUCIAL TO
INTRODUCTION
SMASHED STRAW BERRIES UNDERSTANDING DISEASES
DISCOVERED
Have you ever wondered how
Materials : Rubbing alcohol, Measuring cup,
scientists extract DNA from an Measuring spoons, Salt, water, Dishwashing liquid, Scientists from Singapore and Germany have
identified that the proteins lamin A (Lmna) and
organism? All living organisms Glass or small bowl, Cheesecloth, Funnel, Tall
lamin B receptor (Lbr) are essential for holding
drinking glass, Three strawberries, Resealable
have DNA, which is short for plastic sandwich bag, Small glass, Bamboo silent genes in their correct position at the edge of
the nucleus, in the form of heterochromatin. A
deoxyribonucleic acid; it is skewer, available at most grocery stores.
deviation from their normal position will cause the
Procedure : Prepare the extraction liquid. - Put the
basically the blueprint for strawberries into a resealable plastic bag - smash genes to malfunction, leading to heart failure,
vascular disease and muscle wasting.
everything that happens inside the strawberries. - Add three tablespoons of the
For hundreds of years before this discovery,
extraction liquid to the strawberries. - Squeeze the
an organism’s cells. Overall, strawberry mixture - Pour the strawberry mixture scientists were puzzled by why heterochromatin
clustered at the edge of the nucleus and how it
DNA tells an organism how to from the bag into the funnel. Let it drip through the
was relevant to normal cell function. This recent
cheesecloth and into the tall glass until there is very
develop and function, and is so little liquid left in the funnel - Pour the filtered discovery will enable scientists to gain a better
understanding of the diseases of the heart and
important that this complex strawberry liquid from the tall glass into the small
muscles, and find cures for them in the future.
glass. - Measure out one half cup of cold rubbing
compound is found in virtually alcohol. - Tilt the jar and very slowly pour the The findings by Audrey Wang and Colin Stewart
of A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology and Irina
every one of its cells. In this alcohol down its side. Pour until the alcohol has
Solovei, Boris Joffe and Heinrich Leonhardt of the
formed approximately a one-inch-deep layer on top
activity you’ll make your own of the strawberry liquid. Do not let the strawberry Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich,
Germany, were recently published in the
DNA extraction kit from liquid and alcohol mix.
prestigious journalCell.
The strawberry DNA will appear as gooey
household chemicals and use it STUDENT OBSERVATION.
clear/white stringy stuff. STUDENT
to separate DNA from OBSERVATION.
This news is of vital importance,
I think that this is a very interesting story, curious
strawberries. and funny, which is available to everyone. is a because it allow us to understand
simple and effective method that provides a start to diseases and their relation with age,
the DNA testing allowing a better understanding besides that it gives explanation of
about the functioning of the same, opening the
mind to its utility and who knows probably reaching various syndromes making possible
to some discoveries that allow us to develop new to give better treatment and
theories in order to apply them on life. prevention of disease.
4. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
DNA is important
Have you ever wondered how
to all the things
scientists extract DNA from an
that happens in organism? All living organisms
the body's cells, have DNA, which is short for
deoxyribonucleic acid; it is
this tells me how
basically the blueprint for
they are develop everything that happens inside
and how they an organism’s cells. Overall,
DNA tells an organism how to
work.
develop and function, and is so
important that this complex
compound is found in virtually
This discovery is every one of its cells. In this
activity you’ll make your own
an experimental DNA extraction kit from
activity that household chemicals and use it
works closely to separate DNA from
strawberries.
with DNA. It helps
its understanding,
leaving the
knowledge for
everyone.
5. SQUISHY SCIENCE:
EXTRACT DNA FROM SMASHED
STRAW SCIENCE:
BERRIES
SQUISHY
EXTRACT DNA FROM
SMASHED STRAWBERRIES
Materials : Rubbing alcohol, Measuring cup,
Measuring spoons, Salt, water, Dishwashing liquid,
Glass or small bowl, Cheesecloth, Funnel, Tall
drinking glass, Three strawberries, Resealable
plastic sandwich bag, Small glass, Bamboo
skewer, available at most grocery stores.
Procedure : Prepare the extraction liquid. - Put the
strawberries into a resealable plastic bag - smash
the strawberries. - Add three tablespoons of the
extraction liquid to the strawberries. - Squeeze the
strawberry mixture - Pour the strawberry mixture
from the bag into the funnel. Let it drip through the
cheesecloth and into the tall glass until there is very
little liquid left in the funnel - Pour the filtered
strawberry liquid from the tall glass into the small
glass. - Measure out one half cup of cold rubbing
alcohol. - Tilt the jar and very slowly pour the
alcohol down its side. Pour until the alcohol has
formed approximately a one-inch-deep layer on top
of the strawberry liquid. Do not let the strawberry
liquid and alcohol mix.
The strawberry DNA will appear as gooey
STUDENT OBSERVATION.
clear/white stringy stuff.
I think that this is a very interesting story, curious
and funny, which is available to everyone. is a
simple and effective method that provides a start to
the DNA testing allowing a better understanding
about the functioning of the same, opening the
mind to its utility and who knows probably reaching
to some discoveries that allow us to develop new
theories in order to apply them on life.
6. SQUISHY SCIENCE:
EXTRACT DNA FROM SMASHED
STRAW BERRIES
Preparation of the extraction
liquid
- Chill the rubbing alcohol in the
freezer. (You’ll need it later.)
- Mix one half teaspoon of salt, one
third cup of water and one tablespoon
of dishwashing liquid in a glass or small
bowl. Set the mixture aside. This is
your extraction liquid. Why d o y o u think
the re is d e te rg e nt in the e x tra c tio n
liq uid ?
- Completely line the funnel with
cheesecloth. Insert the funnel tube into
the tall drinking glass (not the glass
with the extraction liquid in it).
- Remove and discard the green tops
from the strawberries.
7. SQUISHY SCIENCE:
EXTRACT DNA FROM SMASHED
STRAW BERRIES
Extra: the experiment can be make it in
several ways:
- Grab some oatmeal or kiwis from the
kitchen and try it again! Whic h fo o d s g ive
y o u the m o s t DN ? A
- Try to tweak different variables in this
activity to see how you could change
your strawberry DNA yield. For example,
you could try starting with different
amounts of strawberries, using different
detergents or different DNA sources
(such as oatmeal or kiwis). Whic h
c o nd itio ns g ive y o u the be s t DN y ie ld ?
A
8. SQUISHY SCIENCE:
EXTRACT DNA FROM SMASHED
STRAW BERRIES
Materials
Rubbing alcohol, Measuring cup,
Measuring, spoons, Salt, water,
Dishwashing liquid (for hand-
washing dishes), Glass or small
bowl, Cheesecloth, Funnel, Tall
drinking glass, Three strawberries,
Resealable plastic sandwich bag,
Small glass jar, (such as a spice
or baby food jar), Bamboo skewer,
available at most grocery stores.
(If you use a baby food or short
spice jar, you could substitute a
toothpick for the skewer.)
9. OBSERVATIO
N
I think that this is a very interesting story,
curious and funny, which is available to
everyone. is a simple and effective
method that provides a start to the DNA
testing allowing a better understanding
about the functioning of the same,
opening the mind to its utility and who
knows probably reaching to some
discoveries that allow us to develop new
theories in order to apply them on life.
10. NUCLEUS STRUCTURE CRUCIAL TO
UNDERSTANDING DISEASES DISCOVERED
NUCLEUS STRUCTURE
CRUCIAL TO
UNDERSTANDING DISEASES
DISCOVERED
Scientists from Singapore and Germany have
identified that the proteins lamin A (Lmna) and
lamin B receptor (Lbr) are essential for holding
silent genes in their correct position at the edge of
the nucleus, in the form of heterochromatin. A
deviation from their normal position will cause the
genes to malfunction, leading to heart failure,
vascular disease and muscle wasting.
For hundreds of years before this discovery,
scientists were puzzled by why heterochromatin
clustered at the edge of the nucleus and how it
was relevant to normal cell function. This recent
discovery will enable scientists to gain a better
understanding of the diseases of the heart and
muscles, and find cures for them in the future.
The findings by Audrey Wang and Colin Stewart
of A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology and Irina
Solovei, Boris Joffe and Heinrich Leonhardt of the
Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich,
Germany, were recently published in the
prestigious journalCell.
STUDENT
OBSERVATION.
This news is of vital importance,
because it allow us to understand
diseases and their relation with age,
besides that it gives explanation of
various syndromes making possible
to give better treatment and
prevention of disease.
11. NUCLEUS STRUCTURE CRUCIAL TO
UNDERSTANDING DISEASES DISCOVERED
The nucleus has the
information as of chromatin
necessary for the cell to grow,
develop and reproduce.
scientists showed that AYB
like sheet proteins are
important for the organization
of chromatin in the nucleus. if
there is a lack of these will be
a collapse in the nuclear
center causing a disruption of
gene expression and
development of affected
skeletal muscle, resulting in
muscle failure.
12. NUCLEUS STRUCTURE CRUCIAL TO
UNDERSTANDING DISEASES DISCOVERED
the findings on
changes in the
position of
chromatin can
contribute to the
exploration of
heart failure.
13. NUCLEUS STRUCTURE CRUCIAL TO
UNDERSTANDING DISEASES DISCOVERED
This news takes researchers
a step closer to understanding
the nucleus and the
development of new
treatments for common
diseases. It could be
particularly relevant for
Mexico, since, like other
developed countries, are
facing the population aging,
heart failure, vascular disease
and muscle atrophy that
increase with age.
14. NUCLEUS STRUCTURE CRUCIAL TO
UNDERSTANDING DISEASES DISCOVERED
Two major advances have
been made in the last
years, the
experimentation with the
cloning and the discovery
of the Human Genome
Mapping considered the
greatest history feat
15. OBSERVATIO
N
This news is of vital importance,
because it allow us to understand
diseases and their relation with
age, besides that it gives
explanation of various syndromes
making possible to give better
treatment and prevention of
disease.
16. MEDICAL UTILITY
MEDICAL UTILITY.
Whether you’re a human, rat, tomato or
bacterium, each of your cells will have
DNA inside of it (with some rare
exceptions, such as mature red blood
cells in humans). Each cell has an entire
copy of the same set of instructions, and
this set is called the genome. Scientists
study DNA for many reasons: They can
figure out how the instructions stored in
DNA help your body to function properly.
They can use DNA to make new
medicines or genetically modify crops to
be resistant to insects. They can solve
who is a suspect of a crime, and can
even use ancient DNA to reconstruct
evolutionary histories!
To get the DNA from a cell, scientists
typically rely on one of many DNA
extraction kits available from
biotechnology companies. During a
DNA extraction, a detergent will cause
the cell to pop open, or lyse, so that the
DNA is released into solution. Then
alcohol added to the solution causes the
DNA to precipitate out. In this activity,
strawberries will be used because each
strawberry cell has eight copies of the
genome, giving them a lot of DNA per
cell. (Most organisms only have one
genome copy per cell.)
18. MEDICAL UTILITY
Allow us to have a
more conscious
understanding of the
importance of the
correct position of the
genes in the nucleus
and which may cause
abnormalities in the
same, like a
malfunction of the
heart's blood vessels
and muscles
19. BIBLIOGRAPH
Y
- Scientific American, a Division of Nature America, Inc.”
Squishy Science: Extract DNA from Smashed Strawberries.”
Scientific American, January 31, 2013. visited on the internet
portal:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=squishy-
science-extract-dna-from-smashed-strawberries
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR),
Singapore. "Nucleus structure crucial to understanding
diseases discovered.“ Sc ie nc e Da ily , 7 Feb. 2013.
Web. visited on the internet portal:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130208110255
.htm
