Welcome back to another installment of BGCNF At Home!
Today, we’re going to put on our lab coats and learn about DNA. For those of you who might not know already know, DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the genetic material inside almost all organism! What makes DNA so important is that it is an instruction manual for building and maintaining organisms. DNA determines our eye color, height and other essential details. [1]
DNA – An Introduction
You’ll need the following materials:
Strawberries (frozen strawberries that have been defrosted work well)
Rubbing alcohol
Salt
Water
Dishwashing liquid
Clear cups (2 per person/group)
Clear resealable sandwich bags (2 per person/group)
Filter materials (coffee filter, paper towel, etc.)
Measuring spoon, teaspoon
Toothpicks/Popsicle sticks
Paper towels for cleaning up any spills
Squeeze bottle (optional)
Watch this video about DNA.
Prepare Your Laboratory
With the help of a parent, collect your supplies.
Be sure to have paper towels for cleaning up any messes.
Prepare Your Strawberries
Place one strawberry in a clear resealable sandwich bag and seal the bag. Make sure it’s closed well.
Once your bag is sealed, squish the strawberries into a pulp. Make sure there are no large lumps of strawberry.
Create the DNA Extraction Solution
Check with a parent to see if they prepared the extraction solution for you.
If not, you can make it yourself using the instructions below:
-
Using a cup, mix 1-2 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap and a pinch of a salt.
-
Carefully open the clear resealable sandwich bag of strawberry pulp. Pour the mixture from the cup into the bag.
-
After adding the mixture to the bag, carefully close it and make sure it’s sealed. Then, gently use your hands to mix the solution by squishing the bag.
Prepare Your Filter
Before you open your bag, place a coffee filter, paper towel or other filter material over a clear cup.
After your filter is set up, carefully open your bag and slowly pour the liquid over the filter. Ask a parent to help with this step.
Once you’ve gotten as much liquid as you can, carefully remove your filter material and throw it away. Save the liquid in the cup.
Release the Strawberry’s DNA
Next, a parent will help you add rubbing alcohol to your cup of solution. You should add about the same amount of rubbing alcohol that you have strawberry juice.
After about a minute, you should see little white strands began to cling to the sides of the cup and across the surface of the liquid.
Using a toothpick or Popsicle stick, carefully scoop the white film that appears in your cup.
You can put this white residue into another plastic bag and then flatten it to see the strands of strawberry DNA.
Congratulations! You’ve unlocked strawberry DNA!
Don’t forget to share the results of your experiments with us on social media!
Instagram @bgcnf
Facebook: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida
