DESIGNER BABIES 29th/07/2019

DNA Extraction Practical 

AIM: This experiment was to extract the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) from the wheat germ cells, extraction
process and study examine the DNA under a microscope.

Materials:
-25ml water (controlled variable)
-Beaker.
-1tsp of powdered wheat germ. (controlled variable)
-1ml detergent solution (controlled variable)
-1tsp meat tenderiser (controlled variable)
-1tsp bi-carb soda (controlled variable)
-Plastic pipette
-Stirring rod
-1 large test tube
-Test tube rack
-Glass microscope slide and cover slip.
-Alcohol (methylated spirits) (controlled variable)
-1 drop of Methyl blue stain (controlled variable)
-Microscope

Method:
1-25mls of water was measured out, and was poured into a large test tube, amongst 1tsp of powdered wheat
germ, stirred with a stirring rod.
2-1ml of detergent was added and was gently stirred, for 1 minute. Avoid creating foam.
3-1tsp of meat tenderizer and bicarbonate soda was added in the test tube and was stirred for 1 minute, with
the stirring rod.
4-The test tube was then placed in the test tube rack, and was isolated for 5 minutes, allowing the solids to
settle to the bottom of the test tube.
5-The test tube was then tilted to its side, on a 45 o degree angle, the methylated spirit was dribbled down the
side of the tube, to form a separate layer on top of the wheat germ and detergent solution.
6-The plastic pipette end tip was swirled cautiously, around the interface of where the two layers meet and
coiled the DNA, the wheat germ extracted. (the white string familiar to a “spider web”, contains the genomic
DNA of wheat)
7-A small amount of DNA was placed on a slide, and a drop of methyl blue stain was added with 3 drops of
water, it was than observed under a microscope.

Diagram
Cover slip that contained the DNA
This image shows the After adding equal amount
DNA being coiled out of liquids, e.g., the wheat
of the test tube and germ mixture, alcohol and
placed onto a slide bi-carb soda, it was stirred.
(which the image on The two liquids weren’t
the side shows). This able to mix as a whole,
is the DNA observed separating the fluids. The
under the DNA was then left at the
microscope. The base of the test-tube,
DNA presented itself looking like a yellowish-
to look like small orange liquid, with sand like
rings that were particles floating around, in
spread out, this case the wheat germ.
surrounded by curly The alcohol stayed a clear
like hair. foggy like fluid.
 DESIGNER BABIES 29th/07/2019
Discussions
1.How were the cell membranes of the cell broken and why? (2 marks)
The cells membranes were broken as the result of adding a chemical into the liquid mixture, which in our case
was the detergent in this extraction practical. The detergent contained sodium laurel sulphate, which cleaned
dishes by removing the proteins and fats, which would act the same way in this scenario, by pulling apart the
fats (lipids) and the proteins which make up the membranes surrounding the nucleus and cells, which would
cause the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) to be released from the cell.

2. How was the protein broken up in the cell and why? (2 marks) 
The protein in the cell was broken up due to adding the additional ingredient, the meat tenderizer into the
beaker. It’s known as proteolytic enzyme which is a protein that digests other proteins by breaking them down
into smaller pieces, allowing the DNA to unravel.

3. Why can’t the individual strands of DNA be seen? (2 marks) 

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that is tightly coiled around the proteins. It holds an individual’s
genetic code, allowing the fact that an individual has a multitude of genes defining an organism, how it will
live, develop and reproduce. DNA has billions of bases made up of nucleotides with structural composition of
sugars, phosphates and nitrogen. This makes it virtually impossible for the naked eye to see it. The observation
under a simple microscope may not be able to image a single strand, due its electron energies being too high,
to break into a single DNA molecule. However, if a scientist were to examine a DNA strand/thread,
microscopes allowing higher resolution may allow to do so.

4. Will this procedure work with all different types of organisms and tissues? Explain your reasons as to
why/why not. (3 marks)
Yes, this procedure will be able to work all different types of organism and tissues. Scientific studies have
proven that all living organisms store genetic information using the same DNA and RNA molecules. There is
evidence indicating that the organism share ancestry, all DNA has the same structure and uses the same code
so the procedure could work. Even though there may be differences in the DNA between organisms, at the
chemical levels the DNA shares the same shape.

5. Explain what factors could lead to differences in the amount of DNA collected both between groups using
the same wheat germ, and between different organisms. (5 marks) 
The factors that could lead to differentiations in the amount of DNA collected between the wheat germ
extraction and other organisms, are that the chromosomes vary in numbers, size, shape, form, protein, and
the coding of the DNA. Or that the systematic errors occurred (the error in the measurement of the liquids
used), the alcohol, detergent or other activating liquids mixed in, the time the liquid was stirred for, or even
the inner structure of the cell and its response to it.
 DESIGNER BABIES 29th/07/2019
6. Why is it important for scientists to be able to remove DNA from an organism? Explain two reasons in
detail. (4 marks) 
There are various reasons why scientist remove DNA from an organism, such as being able to utilise genetic
testing, in the diagnosis of rare diseases, treatment therefore improving healthcare.

Study of genetic causes of diseases-Clinical use of genetic testing refers to the ability of the screening or a
diagnostic test to prevent or reduce the negative effects of diseases, such as disability, death, helps to adopt
and develop therapeutic or preventive treatments influencing health outcomes. Genetic testing helps
understand the structure of the diseases understanding, what effect the disease will have on individuals and
on the society as a whole. Genetic testing helps us understand the inheritance and passing of the disease to
the next generation, which then helps in prevention or rehabilitation.

Development of diagnostic and drugs -The massive information obtained from genetic testing, and
development of technology to apply the new information has facilitated the understanding of the diseases
structure and therefore the development of drugs. Studies of genetic variations also helps scientist and
pharma logistics companies to develop drugs that, even after genetic variations, are absorbed and effective in
reducing the adverse effects of the diseases.

7. When you eat DNA does it become part of your DNA and genes? Explain. (4 marks)
We are eating the DNA and proteins of the organism, when we consume it. The DNA is digested in the food
and broken down into its components, which is rearranged to create human molecules such as human DNA.
So we do not directly take in the DNA from organism into human DNA, but we do break it down and rearrange
it into human DNA. The DNA from the food is further broken down into energy, which powers the cellar
organism in our body.

8. Evaluate the method – discuss any sources of error that may have affected how much DNA you obtained
and explain why. Saying your group did great, that the experiment was fun, that there were no problems,
etc. will not be accepted. (4 marks)
The evaluation of the DNA extraction practical is fairly straightforward, it had its strengths that consists of the
measurements and the time. The substances; detergent, meat tenderizer, bi-carb soda, and the alcohol was
stirred for the same time, to get an accurate timing for each substance, which did make the practical fair, as
mixing the detergent for 30 seconds wouldn’t be able to let the detergent release sodium laurel sulphate as
for stringing it for 2 minutes does, which then was clocked on a timer for approx. 2 minutes. These
measurements were scaled on the beaker. The observing of the DNA under a microscope, displayed a clear
and clean image. Then as for the weaknesses that had carried out throughout the practical, was the spooling
of the DNA, where the two liquids meet but eventually with stability and attentiveness we managed to
coil/extract the DNA from the wheat germ cells.

Conclusion
This experimentation was to extract the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) from the wheat germ cells, process and
examine the DNA under a microscope. The DNA that was extracted from wheat germ in a matter of a few
small steps, this experiment was an idyllic way to give us an understanding of how DNA is extracted, of how
it’s formed and presented, and how it is observed under a microscope.

Bibliography
-Onenote
-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1112686/
-Deborah J. Morris-Rosendahl, B. (2019). The future of genetic testing for drug response. [online] PubMed
Central (PMC). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181785/ [Accessed 12 Aug.
2019].
-Do we consume dna, p. and St, L. (2019). Do we consume dna, proteins of other organisms? [online] Biology
Stack Exchange. Available at: https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/38946/do-we-consume-dna-
proteins-of-other-organisms [Accessed 12 Aug. 2019].’
 DESIGNER BABIES 29th/07/2019
-Omicsonline.org. (2019). Journal of Genetics and DNA Research- Open Access Journals. [online] Available at:
https://www.omicsonline.org/journal-genetics-dna-research.php [Accessed 12 Aug. 2019].