Can You Extract DNA From Cells At Home?
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Loading... - Ashley Walsh
- 07 Feb 2023
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Can You Extract DNA From Cells At Home?
Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid, or DNA, is a twisted chain-like structure composed of four nucleotides that is present in the nucleus of cells. This pattern acts as the unique yet standard code for all living beings. It passes to the next generation and maintains the genetic stability of organisms.
It’s a celebrity molecule. From breeding perfect crops to catching sneaky criminals, we regularly search for DNA and the secrets it holds. This all starts, of course, with the extraction of DNA.
Believe it or not, you don’t even need a high-tech laboratory to extract DNA. You can extract DNA at home!
Fruits And Vegetables Are The Best For DNA Extraction
Though most living cells have DNA, some cells are easier to extract DNA from than others.
Fruits such as strawberries or bananas are quite convenient.
A strawberry is an octoploid, which means it contains eight sets of each chromosome. The more chromosomes available, the easier it is to extract more DNA from a single fruit. If you cannot find one, you can use other fruits, like bananas, since they are triploid. Also, seeds contain more DNA, so you can quite easily work with peas.
In this article, strawberries will be the sample fruit being referenced.
Steps To Extract DNA
You only need five simple ingredients to extract DNA at home!
First, you need a fruit of your choice to extract DNA from. Next, you need 10 grams of salt, 10ml of dish wash or liquid detergent, and 90 ml of water to prepare the DNA extracting solution. And last, you’ll need 50-100 ml of chilled rubbing alcohol to precipitate the DNA.
You can divide the DNA extraction process into three steps.
- Lysing the cell membrane
- Filtering the solution
- DNA precipitation
