======Strawberry DNA Extraction======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** See DNA with the Naked Eye
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Place strawberries in a resealable plastic bag and mash them thoroughly.  
  - Add dishwashing liquid and salt to the bag and mix gently to release DNA from the cells.  
  - Pour the mixture through a strainer or cheesecloth into a clear container.  
  - Slowly add cold alcohol (such as isopropyl or ethanol) to form a layer on top of the strawberry liquid.  
  - Wait a few minutes for white, stringy DNA to appear at the boundary between the two layers.  
  - Use a stick or pipette to gently lift and collect the visible DNA strands.



====Links==== 
How to extract DNA from strawberries - National Human Genome Research Institute: 
{{youtube>hOpu4iN5Bh4?}}\\

DIY Science: How to Extract DNA from a Strawberry - University of Leicester: 
{{youtube>JofXXyFZn38?}}\\

📄 Strawberry DNA extraction activity - The University of Queensland: [[https://imb.uq.edu.au/strawberry-dna-extraction-activity]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try extracting DNA from other fruits such as kiwis or bananas.  
  * Compare how well different detergents or soaps work.  
  * Test the effect of using cold versus room-temperature alcohol.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wear safety glasses to protect eyes from splashes.  
  * Handle alcohol carefully and keep away from flames.  
  * Wash hands thoroughly after the experiment.  
  * Dispose of materials safely - do not consume the mixture.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does detergent help release DNA from cells? (It breaks down cell membranes, releasing the contents.)  
  * What role does salt play in the process? (It prevents proteins from sticking to the DNA.)  
  * Why is alcohol necessary for this experiment? (DNA is insoluble in alcohol, so it clumps together and becomes visible.)  
  * Why are strawberries particularly good for DNA extraction? (They are soft, easy to mash, and have multiple sets of chromosomes, providing lots of DNA.)