How to Extract DNA From a Banana

How to Extract DNA From a Banana Extracting DNA from a banana may sound like a difficult task, but it is not very difficult at all. The process involves a few general steps, including mashing, filtration, precipitation, and extraction. What You Need BananaSaltWarm waterLiquid soapBlenderToothpicksStrainerGlass jarRubbing alcoholKnife Heres How Using your knife, cut your banana into tiny pieces to expose more of the cells.Place your banana pieces in the blender, add a teaspoon of salt and slightly cover the mixture with warm water. The salt will help the DNA stay together during the mashing process.Mix in the blender for 5 to 10 seconds making sure the mixture is not too runny.Pour the mixture into the glass jar through the strainer. You want the jar to be about half full.Add about 2 teaspoons of liquid soap and gently stir the mixture. You should try not to create bubbles when stirring. The soap helps to break down cell membranes to release the DNA.Carefully pour very cold rubbing alcohol down the side of the glass stopping near the top.Wait for 5 minutes to allow the DNA to separate from the solution.Use the toothpicks to extract the DNA that floats to the surface. It will be long and stringy. Tips When pouring the alcohol, make sure that two separate layers are being formed (The bottom layer being the banana mixture and the top layer being the alcohol).When extracting the DNA, twist the toothpick slowly. Be sure to only remove the DNA from the top layer.Try repeating this experiment again using other foods such as an onion or chicken liver. Process Explained Mashing the banana exposes a greater surface area from which to extract the DNA. The liquid soap is added to help break down cell membranes to release the DNA. The filtration step (pouring the mixture through the strainer) allows for the collection of the DNA and other cellular substances. The precipitation step (pouring the cold alcohol down the side of the glass) allows the DNA to separate from other cellular substances. Finally, the DNA is removed from the solution by extraction with the toothpicks. DNA Basics DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule, illustration. Â  KTSDESIGN/Science Photo Library/Getty Images What is DNA?: DNA is a biological molecule that contains genetic information. It is a nucleic acid that is organized into chromosomes. The genetic code found in DNA provides instructions for the production of proteins and all components necessary for the reproduction of life. Where is DNA Found?: DNA can be found in the nucleus of our cells. Organelles known as mitochondria also produce their own DNA. What makes up DNA?: DNA is composed of long nucleotide strands. How is DNA shaped?: DNA commonly exists as a double stranded molecule with a twisted double helical shape. What is the role of DNA in inheritance?: Genes are inherited through the replication of DNA in the process of meiosis. Half of our chromosomes are inherited from our mother and half from our father. What is the role of DNA in protein production?: DNA contains the genetic instructions for the production of proteins. DNA is first transcribed into an RNA version of the DNA code (RNA transcript). This RNA message is then translated to produce proteins. Proteins are involved in just about all cell functions and are key molecules in living cells. More Fun With DNA This model shows the double helix and nucleotide base structure of DNA. The double helix is formed by two spiraling strands of sugar phosphates. Nucleotide bases (red, blue, yellow, green) are arrayed along these strands. LAWRENCE LAWRY/Getty Images Constructing DNA models is a great way to learn about the structure of DNA, as well as DNA replication. You can learn how to make DNA models out of everyday objects including cardboard and jewelry. You can even learn how to make a DNA model using candy.

Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Research Proposal Example ng adults spent a lot of time on the social media and can be described as dabbing to virtual life as a result of websites like Facebook, Google plus, twitter Instagram and many others. The number of users of these websites continues to increase and their popularity is increasing as well. While it is an indication of the increased application of technological methods in communication, the number of hours that people are spending on these sites continues to increase as well. Although the communication can be productive and impact a positive change on someone, the misuse of the sites quickly becomes habitual and is thereby described as an addiction. It causes the users to value social media more than anything else. The study of social media addiction of people can provide analysis of many elements which affect people seal life as a result of the social media usage. This study will focus on the effects of addiction to the social media and not just its use. The usage of social media is a topic which has been widely studied due to the relevance of the social media in the modern times. It is extremely difficult for individuals to fail to utilize a social media site in the modern times due to their popularity. Increased usage has, however, been described as leading to addiction just like any other content which is addictive (Coyne, Padilla-Walker, & Howard, 2013). While the users commonly encounter various problems which include bullying and other related cybercrimes, addiction to these sites presents a daunting challenge to the people in the real life. Social media addiction poses a threat to the self-esteem of an individuals as it makes them lack confidence in real life (Twenge, 2013). This makes the users to look towards outwards acceptance of self-esteem rather than building confidence from within. The mental health of users has also been a factor that could be influenced by the addiction of individuals to the social media. Individuals have been observed to