A script to go along with the simple DNA extraction technique used in biology and biotechnology teaching

1. Fruit Loops
DNA Extraction
Breaking Down Cell Structure
to Extract DNA
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 1

2. Cell Structure
Cell Function
Review
Ribosome
Endoplasmic
Chromosomes
Reticulum
Nucleus Lysosome
(Vacuole)
Nuclear
Membrane
Golgi
Body
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 2

3. Name that function…
Ribosome
Endoplasmic
Chromosomes
Reticulum
Nucleus Lysosome
(Vacuole)
Nuclear
Membrane
Golgi
Body
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 3

4. Making our way to the DNA
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 4

5. Step 1
Breaking down the cell
membrane
How do you break down fats?
Cell membrane is a layer of lipid (fat)
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 5

6. Step 2
Mix, mix, and more mixing
Mixing the cells in the soap
breaks down the cell
La, la, la…
membrane and the
nuclear membrane to get
us to the DNA.
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 6

7. Step 3
Filtering out the chunks
We filter out the parts of
the cell that we do not
need:
1. Cell membranes
2. Nuclear membranes
3. Cell organelles
I’m in here!
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 7

8. Step 4
Alcohol Separation
Alcohol denatures the DNA
and separates it from the
liquid by making it
clump.
Denaturing changes
the structure of the
molecule
Denatured DNA
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 8

9. Test your knowledge
• Why is it so difficult to get to the DNA?
• What process removes the DNA from the
cell?
• Why would scientists need to extract
DNA?
• Can you think of other substances that we
can extract DNA from?
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 9