2011-35493, 2011-85007
Biochemistry 34.1, HEJ, Sir Avvin Pelovello
I. Abstract
Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides, composed of nitrogenous bases, sugar, and phosphate groups, that carry
genetic information and other important cellular processes. There are two kinds of nucleic acids; deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). In this experiment, extraction of DNA was performed from spleen. Four
qualitative tests were used to confirm the presence of specific nucleotide components, such as the deoxy-sugars,
purine bodies, and phosphate groups. Both the Schiff test and diphenylamine test are confirmatory for deoxyribose.
Theoretically, purines form insoluble salts with silver ions, while a phosphomolybdate yellow complex is formed by
the phosphate group in the molybdate test. Experimental results showed that the extracted DNA and HDNA are
positive in deoxyribose through the Schiff test and diphenylamine test, as well as in phosphate group through the
molybdate test. Test for purines obtained inconsistent results from the positive controls.
VII. References
Berg
Garrett