Directions: Answer all questions in complete sentences.

1. How did we collect the cell pellets from the mouthwash solution?

2. Why do some people have larger cell pellets than others?

3. Why don't we see a cell pellet when we remove our tubes from the water bath?

4. What was the purpose of each of the following components?

• Centrifuge
  
  
• Lysis Buffer & Detergent
  
  
• Water Bath & Heat
  
  
• Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
  
  
• Ethanol
  
  
  

5. Show where the fats, carbohydrates, proteins and DNA are in each of the following stages.

After pelleting cheek cells from mouthwash

After the cells are split open

After adding NaCl and centrifuging

6. Can we still have DNA even if it doesn't spool out? Explain

7. Explain the basic steps you would follow to extract DNA from a plant. Do not include the names or amount of any chemicals. Hint: consider the purpose of each step.

Step 1. Collect plant sample.

Science Education Connection Department of Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tuesday, January 14, 1997 warder@u.arizona.edu http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/lessons/vuturo/ All contents copyright © 1997. All rights reserved.