DNA is the genetic code our body that is located in each cell in our body and decides everything about us. DNA is a chain of nucleotides with the bases Adinine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thinine. DNA is the "manual book" for our cells. It tells our cells how to make certain proteins. DNA does this by sending the code to ribosomes which then make the proteins based the code. DNA precipitation is a method used to concentrate/isolate DNA from a cell. To achieve this we have to break down the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane. Then we have to add certain ingrediants to be able to actually see the DNA with the naked eye. This is used in the real world as well. Researchers can use this method to isolate DNA and then take samples of it and learn more about it. They can use the info gained to test for certain traits and dieseases. In order to make this happen we have to add certain ingrediants and do certain things. First we have to loosen our cheek cells and put it in saline which is isotonic and the same salt concentration as our bodies. Then we add the lysis buffer which breaks down the cellular and nuclear membrane. Then protease which breaks down the DNase in our cells (kills DNA (enzyme for DNA) ) and also breaks down the histone proteins which the DNA is wrapped around. We then put it into a hot bath to speed up the reaction and we add salt which neutralizes the negative charge of DNA. Lastly we add cold ethanol which helps precipitate the DNA.
In my DNA lab I went through all the steps and got an amazing result. Once I added the ethanol I saw these thin strands of a jello like substance appear. It was really cool and I appreciated the awesomness of DNA after that. Some errors might have occured. We coulded have added to much of a substance like ethanol or salt and that could have affected how much DNA we ended up with after that . Overall I really liked the lab and had a good time doing it.
DNA
Precipitated DNA
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