Activity No.

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DNA EXTRACTION OF BANANA

Materials:

 Banana
 Warm water
 Salt
 Concentrated Dish Soap
 Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl)
 Coffee filter or gauze pad
 Cup or glass jar
 Plastic bag for squishing of fruit
 ½ measuring cup
 1 tsp measuring spoon
 Strainer

Procedure:
1. Smash the fruit.
2. Make your extraction solution by mixing together:
 ½ cup warm water
 1 tsp salt
 2 tsp concentrated dish soap
3. Add 2 to 3 teaspoon of extraction solution to your squished fruit and stir gently for 1
minute.
4. Pour the fruit mixture into a coffee filter or gauze pad and let sit for 5 minutes. Very gently
close the bag and press to extract more liquid. Be careful no too press too hard. If the bag
breaks, you need strain the liquid again.
5. Carefully pour a layer of rubbing alcohol on top of the layer of fruit liquid. The goal is for
rubbing alcohol to be roughly equal to the amount of fruit liquid. However, it does not
need to be exact.
6. Observe the container and watch for a white foamy substance to form on the surface of
the rubbing alcohol. This is your DNA!
Questions:
1. What is the role of salt? Dishwashing liquid?
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2. Why do we use a filter?
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3. What does cold alcohol do? Can we use room temperature or warm temperature alcohol?
Why or why not?
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4. Can you use other fruits or vegetables as source of DNA?
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