DNA in My Food

1
DNA in My Food???
Original by Eva McLanahan Modified by Georgia
Agriculture Education Curriculum Office- July 2004
2
What is DNA ?
3
The Blueprint of Life

• Determines characteristics of all living
  organisms
• Composed of a four-letter nucleotide/molecule
  alphabet referred to as A, T, C, and G.
• Order of the alphabet determines the
  characteristics of the living organism, much like
  the order of letters in our alphabet determines
  the words.
• Each cell in the human body contains gt3 BILLION
  letters.

4
DNA, the Blueprint of Life
DNA, the Blueprint of Life
The only difference between living organisms is
the amount and order of the DNA alphabet.
5
DNA is like a fingerprint, in that it is unique
to each individual and can be used to identify
them, even though it is not visible to the naked
eye.
6
DNA, the Blueprint of Life
DNA, the Blueprint of Life
7
Where do you find DNA?
8
(No Transcript)
9
(No Transcript)
10
DNA FACT
11
FACT
You have about 9 million kilometres of DNA.
That's enough to reach to the moon and back 13
times!
Introduction
12
FACT
Strands of DNA are so tiny, you could fit about 5
million strands through the eye of a needle.
13
FACT
Each cell in your body contains 3 billion letters
in the DNA they would fill a stack of paperback
books 200 ft high.
14
FACT
Each cell contains 9 feet of DNA. In an average
meal, you eat approximately 55,000,000 cells or
about 93,205 miles of DNA.
15
DNA in My Food???
DNA Extraction
16

• DNA is present in the cells of all living
  organisms.

• The process of extracting DNA from a cell is the
  first step for many laboratory procedures in
  biotechnology.

• The scientist must be able to separate DNA from
  the unwanted substances of the cell gently enough
  so that the DNA does not denature (break up).

17

• You will prepare a solution of banana treated
  with salt, distilled water, and dish soap
  (detergent).

• Read the introduction on your lab to determine
  what is the purpose of the detergent and the
  salt!!

18
DNA in My Food???Step 1

• In a blender, mix two bananas with one cup
  (250ml) of distilled water.

DNA Extraction
19
DNA in My Food???Step 1 (cont.)

• Blend for 15-20 seconds, until the solution is a
  mixture.

DNA Extraction
20
DNA in My Food??? Step 2

• In one of the cups, make a solution consisting of
  1 teaspoon of detergent and two pinches of table
  salt.

DNA Extraction
21
DNA in My Food??? Step 2 (cont.)

• Add 20 ml (4 teaspoons) of distilled water.
  Dissolve the salt and detergent by stirring
  slowly with the plastic spoon to avoid foaming.

DNA Extraction
22
DNA in My Food??? Step 3

• To the solution you just made, add two heaping
  teaspoons of the banana mixture from step 1. Mix
  the solution with the spoon for 5-10 minutes.
  (Avoid Foaming)

DNA Extraction
23
DNA in My Food??? Step 4

• While one member of your group mixes the banana
  solution, another member will place a 2 cone
  coffee filter inside the second plastic cup.
  Fold the coffee filters edge around the cup so
  that the filter does not touch the bottom of the
  cup.

DNA Extraction
24
DNA in My Food??? Step 5

• Filter the mixture by pouring it into the filter
  and letting the solution drain for several
  minutes until there is about 5 ml (covers the
  bottom of the cup) of filtrate to test.

DNA Extraction
25
DNA in My Food??? Step 6

• Obtain a test tube of cold isopropyl alcohol or
  ethanol.

DNA Extraction
26
DNA in My Food??? Step 7

• Fill the plastic pipette with banana solution
  (filtrate).

DNA Extraction
27
DNA in My Food??? Step 8

• Add the solution to the alcohol.
• Let the mixture sit for 2 to 3 minutes without
  disturbing it. To get good resultsDO NOT SHAKE
  THE TUBE!

DNA Extraction
28
Before you get started

• REMEMBER Take your time and follow directions
  carefully!!
• Clean up lab bench when done so we can move to
  the next activity!!
• Make sure there is no water around
• Most importantly HAVE FUN!

29
DNA in My Food???Results

• You can watch the white DNA precipitate out into
  the alcohol layer. DNA has the appearance of
  white, stringy mucus.

DNA Extraction