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Strawberry DNA Extraction

Age Group

8-12 years old

Difficulty Level

Easy

Duration

30-45 minutes

What You'll Need

  • Fresh strawberries

  • Ziplock bag or plastic sandwich bag

  • Dish soap

  • Table salt

  • Water

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Small plastic cups or glass jars

  • Coffee filter or cheesecloth

  • Wooden skewer or toothpick

  • Funnel (optional)

  • Safety goggles (optional)

What Will You Learn?

The purpose of this experiment is to introduce participants to the concept of DNA and demonstrate how it can be extracted from everyday materials like strawberries. By engaging in hands-on exploration, participants will gain a better understanding of DNA's structure and function.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation: Start by gathering all the materials and setting up your workspace. Put on safety goggles if desired.


  1. Mash the Strawberries: Place a few strawberries in the ziplock bag and seal it. Use your hands to gently mash the strawberries until they are completely crushed.

  2. Create the Extraction Solution: In a small plastic cup or glass jar, mix together 1 tablespoon of dish soap, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of water. Stir the solution until the salt dissolves.

  3. Add the Extraction Solution: Pour the extraction solution into the ziplock bag containing the mashed strawberries. Seal the bag again and gently mix the contents by squeezing and shaking the bag for about 2 minutes. This will help break down the cell membranes and release the DNA.

  4. Filter the Mixture: Place a coffee filter or cheesecloth over another cup or jar to act as a filter. Carefully pour the strawberry mixture through the filter, allowing the liquid to pass through while trapping the solids.

  5. Extract the DNA: Slowly pour rubbing alcohol into the filtered liquid until you have about the same amount of alcohol as the strawberry mixture. Do not mix the two liquids together. You should see a layer of DNA forming at the interface between the two liquids.

  6. Collect the DNA: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to carefully lift the DNA strand out of the alcohol layer. Gently twirl the skewer to wind the DNA around it.

  7. Observe and Discuss: Examine the extracted DNA strand and discuss its appearance and significance with your experiment partners or an adult.

Safety First!

  • Use caution when handling sharp objects like toothpicks or skewers.

  • Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from splashes of rubbing alcohol.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly after completing the experiment.

Watch The Experiment

Results Gallery

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FAQs

  • Why do we use dish soap and salt in this experiment?Dish soap breaks down the cell membranes to release DNA, while salt helps to separate the DNA from proteins and other cellular debris.

  • Why is the rubbing alcohol chilled?Cold alcohol helps to precipitate the DNA out of the solution by reducing its solubility, making it easier to see and collect.

  • Can this experiment be done with other fruits or vegetables?Yes, this experiment can be adapted to use other fruits or vegetables that contain DNA, such as bananas or kiwis.

Download Your Experiment Guide

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  • "Genetic Traits and Inheritance: Understanding Heredity"

Tags

DNA, Genetics, Biology, Hands-on Experiment, Science Activity, STEM Education, Children's Science Experiment, DNA Extraction

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