Question
PART 2: 'Minds on' ( 20 minutos) QUESTION 2 Read the information on DNA extraction from strawberries. Strawberries are soft and easy to pulverize (mash). They are octoploid and therefore have large genomes, which means they have eight of each type of chromosome in every cell. Thus, strawberries are an exceptional fruit to use in DNA extraction labs. The soap helps to dissolve the phospholipid bilayers of the cell membrane an organelles. Salt is used to break up protein chains that bind around the nucleic acid DNA is not soluble in ethanol. The colder the ethanol, the less soluble the DNA will t in it. Thus make sure to keep the ethanol in the freezer or on ice. 2.1 What does the term octoploid mean? (1) 2.2 Why do we add: a) Salt? (1) b) Dishwashing liquid? (1) .3 Give ONE reason why the ethanol should be kept on ice. (1) State a conclusion to your experiment. (2) 5 Draw a diagram of your results
Ask by Spencer Chambers. in South Africa
Feb 04,2025
Real Tutor Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
### 2.1 What does the term octoploid mean?
Octoploid means a cell or organism has eight complete sets of chromosomes in each cell.
### 2.2 Why do we add:
#### a) Salt?
Salt breaks up protein chains that bind to DNA, helping to extract it from cells.
#### b) Dishwashing liquid?
Dishwashing liquid dissolves cell membranes and organelles, allowing DNA to be released into the solution.
### 2.3 Give ONE reason why the ethanol should be kept on ice.
Cold ethanol makes DNA less soluble, causing it to precipitate and be easier to collect.
### Conclusion
The experiment successfully extracted visible DNA from strawberries using soap, salt, and cold ethanol, confirming the presence of DNA in strawberry cells.
### 5. Diagram of Results
- **Test Tube Layers:**
- **Bottom:** Mashed strawberry mixture.
- **Middle:** Clear separation between strawberry mixture and ethanol.
- **Top:** Cold ethanol poured over the strawberry mixture.
- **Result:** White, stringy DNA strands appear at the interface between the strawberry mixture and ethanol.
*The diagram shows a test tube with mashed strawberries at the bottom, a clear layer of ethanol on top, and white DNA strands floating between them.*
Solution
### 2.1 What does the term octoploid mean?
**Answer:**
Octoploid refers to an organism or cell that contains eight complete sets of chromosomes in each of its cells.
### 2.2 Why do we add:
#### a) Salt?
**Answer:**
Salt helps to break up protein chains that bind to the DNA, facilitating the separation and extraction of DNA from the cellular material.
#### b) Dishwashing liquid?
**Answer:**
Dishwashing liquid (soap) dissolves the phospholipid bilayers of cell membranes and organelles, effectively lysing the cells to release their DNA into the solution.
### 2.3 Give ONE reason why the ethanol should be kept on ice.
**Answer:**
Keeping ethanol cold decreases the solubility of DNA, promoting its precipitation and making it easier to collect.
### Conclusion
The DNA extraction experiment successfully isolated visible strands of DNA from strawberries, demonstrating that strawberries contain DNA and that the extraction method using soap, salt, and cold ethanol is effective. This confirms the presence of genetic material within strawberry cells and validates the extraction process used.
### 5. Diagram of Results
*Since a visual diagram cannot be drawn here, a description is provided:*
- **Test Tube Layout:**
- **Bottom Layer:** Mashed strawberry mixture.
- **Middle Interface:** A clear separation line between the strawberry mixture and the ethanol.
- **Top Layer:** Cold ethanol poured gently over the strawberry mixture.
- **Visible DNA:** White, stringy strands of DNA precipitating at the interface between the strawberry mixture and the ethanol layer.
*The diagram should show a test tube with the following from bottom to top: mashed strawberries, ethanol poured slowly on top, and visible white DNA strands floating between the two layers.*
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Simplify this solution The Deep Dive
Strawberries being octoploid means they possess eight sets of chromosomes, which is pretty remarkable! This unique genetic makeup allows for a lot of genetic diversity and can make the process of DNA extraction more fruitful—pun intended! In fact, because strawberries have such a sizable genome, scientists and students alike love using them in experiments to observe DNA without overly complex procedures. Using salt in DNA extraction helps to strip away proteins that are clinging to the DNA, freeing it up so it can be easily isolated. Dishwashing liquid, on the other hand, serves as a powerful tool to break down cell membranes. It disrupts the phospholipid layers of cells, allowing access to the DNA hidden within. Together, these components create the perfect environment to make extracting DNA from strawberries a breeze!
