The class was instructed to execute an experiment for week 5 using common items you would normally find in your kitchen. Our objective was to extract DNA from an organism once living. The options available to us are as follows: broccoli, split peas, strawberries, chicken liver. I opted to use broccoli for my experiment. I followed the instructions step by step and was successful in observing the DNA strands from the broccoli float to the top.
Introduction.
DNA was first discovered by Friedrich Miescher, a Swiss chemist, in 1869. Miescher's uncle advised him to focus his studies around the cell nucleus. To do this, Miescher utilized used bandages containing the blood and pus of battle-wounded soldiers to experiment with. Miescher extracted leukocytes from the pus contained on the bandages, he discovered a substance he called nuclein, known today as nucleic acid or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Miescher became the first scientist to identify and isolate DNA. Thanks to his discovery, scientists have since made numerous groundbreaking discoveries involving DNA. One noteworthy trio being Jason Watson, Francis Crick, and Rosalind Franklin who discovered the double helix; the ladder in which determines our genetic mark up. .
Think of DNA as a computer programmer and your body as the computer. DNA is essentially the coding process, or instructions, that define who we are, how we will look, and whether we're more prone to certain diseases or conditions. These codes produced a message-like system meant to form proteins (genome.gov). Our bodies would not be able to function, reproduce, or develop without DNA and every single cell in our body contains it!.
Materials and Methods.
Hand blender.
4 pieces broccoli flower heads.
2 cups Tap water.
Spoon.
Coffee filter.
Funnel.
Dish soap.
Knife.
3 measuring cups.
Bowl.
Table salt.
I began the experiment by cutting off a few large branches from a head of broccoli (4 pieces). I cut off the stems and cut the broccoli down to prepare for blending.
