DNA Extraction Lab

In this lab we asked the question: "How can DNA be separated from cheek cells order to study it?" We claim that DNA can be extracted from a cheek cell through a simple procedure. First, you scrap the sides of you mouth your teeth, then you swish you mouth with Gatorade, and spit it out. This lets you spit some of your cheek cells out with the liquid, and since Gatorade is a polar liquid it begins to break down the cheek cell. You then add salt to allow the DNA to clump up. You than add soap and enzymes from pineapple juice to further break down the cell, and at the end you ad alcohol to make the DNA float to the surface

As seen in the picture above the DNA floated to the surface at the end of this procedure, which proves that DNA can be extracted from a cell using this procedure.

On possible error is that some people poured the alcohol in too fast, and it mixed with the Gatorade mixture instead of forming a separate layer. This would negate the effect of the alcohol and prevent you from seeing DNA. To fix this the procedure should say to from two layers.

Another error is that is you don't put enough alcohol, then you wont see DNA. This could be fixed by adding more alcohol. 

This lab was done to show how DNA can be extracted from cells, and then be retrieved. This related to DNA, and how it is in every cell in your body. This lab can be applied to the field of genetics. You can use a similar procedure to extract DNA and test it for certain mutations.