DNA extraction by ethanol precipitation

Question 1

What was the method?

Answer 1

1) Tissue macerated in extraction buffer
2) Cold ethanol added
3) DNA precipitates out as filtered suspensions as visible whitish glue strands

Question 2

What does the DNA extraction buffer contain?

Answer 2

Water, detergent , salt

Question 3

What does the detergent do?

Answer 3

Helps dissolve the cellular membrane tissue and deactivate DNases( they would chop up the DNA)

Question 4

What does the salt do?

Answer 4

Helps remove the proteins bound to the DNA and keep them in the solution
The cations also help neutralize the charge of the DNA

Question 5

What does the ethanol do?

Answer 5

Removes the water around the molecule so the DNA can precipitate out

Question 6

Why is a low temp ideal?

Answer 6

It speeds up precipitation and limits DNases activity

Question 7

Why are strawberries good candidates for DNA when carrying out experiments?

Answer 7

They are octoploid ( contain 8 sets of chromosomes) so have lots of DNA