Lab Report on Cheek Cell Dna Extraction

NAME:

CHEEK CELL DNA-LAB REPORT SHEET

Exercise 1 – Isolating Cheek Cell DNA

Analysis of Results

Appearance of Solution What is happening to the cells/DNA?

After lysis buffer

Clearish solution The cells outer layers are dissolved/broken down

After alcohol added

The alcohol pours into a layer on top of the solution and then it bubbled The alcohol causes the DNA to separate from other molecules in the solution

After alcohol mixed

Fine strands, that are white and clumped DNA can be seen in the clearish solution The DNA precipitates in the presence of alcohol which makes it visible

Questions:

1. Why is cell lysis the first step in isolating DNA from your cells?

Cell lysis is the first step in isolating DNA because the cells first need to be broken down into smaller components to release the DNA.

2. Lysis buffer typically contains detergent. Why would this help to lyse the cells?

Detergent is used to the lyse the cells because most cells are oil-based. Detergents dissolve and break down oils, thus lysing the cells and freeing the DNA.

3.Decribe the appearance of your DNA. Is its appearance consistent with what you know about the structure of DNA? Why or why not?

My DNA is fine white strands that kind of clump. The DNA doesn't look like the typical double-helix structure that comes to mind when one thinks of DNA. This