Laboratory Report for Practical Session

Nguyen Tran Ngoc Mai

Fulbright University Vietnam

Introductory Biology

November 18th 2022

Lab instructor: Professor Huyen Trang

Lab day: November 1st 2022

Introduction

The purpose of this experiment is to isolate DNA from plant tissue. We break the cell walls and

cellular membranes to have access to its nuclear material, without its degradation.

Materials

Watermelon, Dish detergent, Water, Salt, Cold rubbing alchohol.

Equipments

Plastic bag, Plastic cups, Coffee filter, Stirrer

Methods

1. Preparation of Extraction Solution: 2 teaspoons of detergent, 1 teaspoon of salt and ½

cup of water were mixed in a plastic cup.

2. The watermelon rind was removed, the fruit meat of the watermelon was put in a zip

lock bag and crushed from outside the bag.

3. Two teaspoons of the DNA extraction liquid were added into the bag. The mixture was

continued to be crushed for a minute. It was advised to not create too many bubbles.

4. The coffee filter was set up in another plastic cup and the watermelon mixture was

poured into the filter.

5. After filtering, an equal amount of cold rubbing alcohol was poured into the liquid

without mixing.

6. We waited for the DNA to precipitate out and picked it up using a wooden stick.
Results

The first trial was unsuccessful as there were red clouded strings floating in the middle of the

solution but they were unable to be picked up with a wooden stick.

The second trial was successful. Red and clear precipitation, which represented the isolated

DNA, is observable in the mid layer of the watermelon extract solution. The strand could be

picked up by a wooden stick.

Fig 1. The isolated DNA from side view in the second trial
 Fig 2. The isolated DNA from the front front in the second trial

Discussion

The watermelon was physically crushed, rupturing the cell walls. The nuclear membranes, cell

walls, and cell membranes were all broken by the extraction solution. The filter assisted in

separating unnecessary big cell components. Experiment 2: Plant and Animal Cells Observations

Experiment 2: Plant cells and Animal cells observations

Introduction

The purpose of this experiment is to observe and compare a typical structure of plant cells and

a typical structure of animal cell.

Materials

Onion bulb, Tomato, Distilled water

Equipments

Tweezers, Toothpick, Glass slide, Cover slips, Forceps, Microscope

Methods

a. Plant cells observation

1. Onion epidermis cells

- We used tweezers to remove a piece of epidermal tissue from the outer layer of

the onion bulb.

- A drop of water was added to a clean glass slide and the epidermal tissue was

placed into water on the slide.

2. Potato cells & Tomato cells

- The vegetables were cut into half and we used a toothpick to pick up the internal

material of the vegetable.

- A drop of water was added to a clean glass slide and place the epidermal tissue

into water on the slide.

- The cells were observed with a microscope.

b. Human cells observation

- The broad end of a toothpick was used to scape the inner cheek surface.

- The cheek scrapings were smeared onto a clean dry slide. The used toothpick

was disposed.

- A drop of water and a coverslip was added to the slide.

Results
Fig 3. Onion epidermis cells Fig 4. Tomato cells

Fig 5. Potato cells Fig 6. Human cheek cells

Onion cells had green cell walls while that of tomato cells were bright yellow. Although the

image potato cells was quite vague, cell walls can be seen. The shape of onion cells and tomato

cells was rectangular, while that of human cheek cells were round. There was no space

between onion cells, as well as between tomato cells, while check cells were dispersed.

Discussion

When observing the plant cells, it could be seen that these cells both had cell membranes or

plasma membranes. However, cell walls only appeared in plant cells. Plant cells’ shapes were

rectangular and animal cells are round. Moreover, the space between these two type of cells

were different.
Experiment 3: Bacteria Identification

Introduction

The Gram stain is a crucial stage in the first identification and categorization of bacteria due to

the diverse characteristics of microorganisms, particularly the variation in cell wall thickness.

However, it is important to note that this method cannot be used to categorize all

microorganisms with absolute certainty.

Methods

Bacterial Cells Observation

Samples from a hand were acquired and inoculated on an agar plate then cultured at 37°C for

24 hours.

Bacterial Gram Staining

1. Crystal violet staining solution was applied for 1 minute to an air-dried, heat-fixed cell

smear. The slide was heat fixated by being brought up against a flame.

2. The slide was gently and indirectly washed in tap water for 2 seconds.

3. The slide was flooded with the mordant: Gram’s iodine (Lugol solution) for 1 minute.

4. The slide was gently and indirectly washed in tap water for 2 seconds.

5. The slide was flooded with decolorizing agent in 15 seconds.

6. The slide was flooded with counterstain, safranin for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

7. The slide was gently and indirectly washed in tap water for 2 seconds until no color is

visible in the effluent and then blot dry with absorbent paper.

8. The result was observed using a microscope.

Bacterial Cells Observation

Fig 3. Hand bacteria

There was an irregular colony at the lower left of the plate. The diameter was approximately

1.3 centimeter. The surface of this colony was quite wrinkled and it was quite dense. From side

view, its elevation is raised. The magnified shape of its edge is undulate. This colony’s

pigmentation is white.

There were other colonies dispersing around the plate with similar structures. These colonies

consisted of small circular dots with a raised elevation. The magnified shape of the edge of

these colonies was entire. The opacity of these colonies was translucent.
Bacterial Gram Staining

Fig 8. Gram staining

It could be observed that the bacteria had a long shape.

Discussion

Bacterial Cells Observation

The large, irregular colony was fungus, while other disperse colonies were bacteria.

Bacterial Gram Staining

Due to unknown mistakes during the staining process, we were not able to determine which

type of bacteria this was.

Activity 1—Dna extraction. (n.d.). Activity 1 - DNA Extraction. Retrieved November 18, 2022,

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Huyen Trang. (2022, November 1). Introduction to Biology: DNA Extraction, Cell Observation,

and Bacteria Identification. https://fuv.instructure.com/courses/384/files/89081?

module_item_id=17889

Nguyen, T. H. D. (2022). Introductory to Biology Practical Session.

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