Maddie Roth

Period 7
April 18, 2012
DNA Extraction Lab

Objective: To investigate and extract DNA and compare its quality and quantity from
two different organisms.

Introduction: It is hypothesized that the DNA of the wheat germ will be purple and the
size 3of an eraser. It was also hypothesized that the DNA of an egg will be clear and the
size of a bottle cap.
Where DNA is found is in within the nucleus and the structure of DNA looks like
a twisted ladder. Deoxyribose and phosphate make up the very outside of the ladder.
On the inside the DNA is made up of nitrogen bases and the bases bond together.
Adenine bonds with thymine and cytosine bonds with guanine. Why it is important for
scientists to be able to remove DNA from cells is because you can find the chemical
makeup of any living organism. What wheat germ is the reproductive part of wheat and
it is a plant cell.

Procedure: Please see attached sheets.

Data:
Source of Data-
Wheat Germ small pencil eraser cap brown and white
Egg bottle cap bright yellow


Results: The results of this lab show that the first hypothesis was wrong for the DNA
was not purple and was smaller than a eraser. The second hypothesis was wrong for
the DNA was not clear and was larger than a bottle cap.

Analysis and Conclusion: The samples of DNA extracted in this lab differ from the
hypotheses because the DNA for the wheat germ was not purple and smaller and the
DNA for the egg was not white and larger.The function of warm water in this experiment
is to break down the materials, the function of detergent breaks down the cell wall and
the function of isopropyl alcohol is to attract the DNa to the surface. After you put the
isopropyl alcohol in the beaker is when you can start to see the DNA in this experiment.
DNA is considered a universal code because it is different for all living organisms. In this
experiment both samples of DNA were different. There is DNA in your food because
when you eat fruits, vegetables, and grains you are plant cells, which means you are
eating plant DNA. This DNA however does not does not harm alter an organism for you
have different DNA, so it cant mix. What implication it has for farmers to make
genetically modified plants is to develop the perfect plant.
There is room for error in this experiment and that would be if your
measurements are off. The detergent you are using is not the correct kind. You dont
add 91% concentrated isopropyl alcohol. Your timing could also be off too.