DNA extraction from strawberries

Introduction:

              We will break open the cells of strawberries and separate the DNA from the rest of the parts of the cell.  Strawberries are a good source of DNA because they have 8 copies of each type of chromosome. 

Materials per student:

1. Zip loc baggie
2. 1 strawberry
3. 50 ml extraction buffer
4. Filtering apparatus: coffee filter, funnel, small beaker
5. Ice cold ethanol
6. Test tubes
7. Glass rod

Procedure:

1. Place one strawberry in a zip loc baggie
2. Squish the strawberry with your fingers for 2 minutes
3. Add the extraction buffer to the bag
4. Mush again for 1 minute
5. Pour the extract into the filtering apparatus and let it drip directly into the test tube
6. Only fill the test tube so that it is about 1/8 full
7. Slowly pour cold ethanol into the tube so that the test tube is half full with liquid
8. Record your observations