What does the alcohol do in this experiment? Why does the DNA rise to the top after adding alcohol? For reference, this is the procedure for the experiment

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
icon
Related questions
Question

What does the alcohol do in this experiment? Why does the DNA rise to the top after adding alcohol? For reference, this is the procedure for the experiment

4. Place a coffee filter in a funnel and pour the fruit mixture into the coffee filter and let the solution
drip into the glass container (as shown in the illustration below). NOTE: To those who don't have
either a coffee filter or a funnel, you may use a strainer. Do not squeeze or poke the coffee filter as it
will break (or poke the strainer) - better leave it for a while.
Coffee filter or
cheese cloth
Funnel
Glass container
5. Once all the fruit mixture is filtered, transfer the filtrate in a small glass container that can hold
around ¼ to ½ cup (≈ 50-100ml or ≈10-20 tsp.) of fluid.
6. After transferring, tilt the glass container and add 20 mL (4 tsp.) of cold alcohol slowly. NOTE: the
alcohol should sit atop the fruit mixture after.
7. Let the set-up sit for five to ten minutes or until the DNA precipitates. NOTE: It will resemble white
mucous or a white cloud-like substance at the interface between the alcohol and fruit mixture.
8. Take a photo and after observing your DNA product, clean up everything. Wash all the materials
used with hot water and dishwashing liquid. NOTE: If a lot of DNA precipitated from your sample,
you may use a pair of tweezers to gently remove a long thick fiber of white mucous (or white cloud-
like substance) from the extraction mixture and lay it on a saucer for examination.
Transcribed Image Text:4. Place a coffee filter in a funnel and pour the fruit mixture into the coffee filter and let the solution drip into the glass container (as shown in the illustration below). NOTE: To those who don't have either a coffee filter or a funnel, you may use a strainer. Do not squeeze or poke the coffee filter as it will break (or poke the strainer) - better leave it for a while. Coffee filter or cheese cloth Funnel Glass container 5. Once all the fruit mixture is filtered, transfer the filtrate in a small glass container that can hold around ¼ to ½ cup (≈ 50-100ml or ≈10-20 tsp.) of fluid. 6. After transferring, tilt the glass container and add 20 mL (4 tsp.) of cold alcohol slowly. NOTE: the alcohol should sit atop the fruit mixture after. 7. Let the set-up sit for five to ten minutes or until the DNA precipitates. NOTE: It will resemble white mucous or a white cloud-like substance at the interface between the alcohol and fruit mixture. 8. Take a photo and after observing your DNA product, clean up everything. Wash all the materials used with hot water and dishwashing liquid. NOTE: If a lot of DNA precipitated from your sample, you may use a pair of tweezers to gently remove a long thick fiber of white mucous (or white cloud- like substance) from the extraction mixture and lay it on a saucer for examination.
MATERIALS
Tablespoon and teaspoon
Banana (strawberry or another soft fruit)
Table salt
Funnel (or strainer)
Dishwashing liquid
Coffee filter (or cheese cloth)
Water (preferably distilled water)
Glass containers (drinking glass, bowl)
Ice bath (or your fridge)
Resealable plastic sandwich bag (or you may use a
glass bowl)
Cold alcohol (or high proof liquor)
PREPARATION
1. Buffer solution: In a glass container, mix 90ml (= 6 tbsp.) of water, 10ml (2 tsp.) of dishwashing
liquid, and ¼ tsp. or a pinch of salt. Stir until the salt dissolves and do so gently to avoid making too
many bubbles in the mixture.
2. Alcohol: Put the alcohol in an ice bath or inside the freezer.
PROCEDURE
1. Put the fruit inside the resealable plastic bag and push out all the air before sealing.
2. Using your fingers, squeeze and mash the fruit. NOTE: Careful not to break the bag! To those who
don't have a resealable plastic sandwich bag, you may do this step in a glass bowl.
3. Add 10 mL of buffer solution and grind for at least five to 10 minutes. NOTE: If the mixture is too
thick, add more buffer solution.
Transcribed Image Text:MATERIALS Tablespoon and teaspoon Banana (strawberry or another soft fruit) Table salt Funnel (or strainer) Dishwashing liquid Coffee filter (or cheese cloth) Water (preferably distilled water) Glass containers (drinking glass, bowl) Ice bath (or your fridge) Resealable plastic sandwich bag (or you may use a glass bowl) Cold alcohol (or high proof liquor) PREPARATION 1. Buffer solution: In a glass container, mix 90ml (= 6 tbsp.) of water, 10ml (2 tsp.) of dishwashing liquid, and ¼ tsp. or a pinch of salt. Stir until the salt dissolves and do so gently to avoid making too many bubbles in the mixture. 2. Alcohol: Put the alcohol in an ice bath or inside the freezer. PROCEDURE 1. Put the fruit inside the resealable plastic bag and push out all the air before sealing. 2. Using your fingers, squeeze and mash the fruit. NOTE: Careful not to break the bag! To those who don't have a resealable plastic sandwich bag, you may do this step in a glass bowl. 3. Add 10 mL of buffer solution and grind for at least five to 10 minutes. NOTE: If the mixture is too thick, add more buffer solution.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Alcohol
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Biology 2e
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780815344322
Author:
Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781260159363
Author:
Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9781260231700
Author:
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:
McGraw Hill Education