We used strawberries as the source for our nucleic acids. Strawberries yield more DNA than any other fruit because they are octoploid - they have 8 copies of each chromosome.
we prepared a solution containing detergent which disrupts the phospholipid membrane around the cells and the nucleus. Sodium chloride disrupts histones that bind DNA. It also helps to
keep the proteins dissolved in the aqueous layer so they don’t precipitate in the alcohol
along with the DNA.
the strawberry was pulverized by smashing it in a plastic bag with our detergent and salt solution to chemically break apart the cells.
We added an equal volume of 70% ethanol. DNA is not soluble in isopropyl alcohol and causes the DNA to precipitate and clump together into long strands. These were captured by swirling a stick at the interface between the two layers. The DNA was transfered to a rube containing alcohol.
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