Strawberry DNA Extraction

Summary

This video script details a fun and educational experiment on extracting DNA from strawberries using household items. The process involves smashing strawberries in a bag, mixing them with a detergent solution, filtering, and then precipitating DNA using rubbing alcohol. The script highlights the simplicity of conducting scientific experiments at home and the abundance of DNA in strawberries, making the extraction process relatively easy.

Takeaways

• 🍓 Strawberries have a high amount of DNA per cell, with eight copies per cell, making DNA extraction relatively easy.
• 🔬 A simple DNA extraction process can be carried out using household items such as strawberries, dish detergent, salt, water, and rubbing alcohol.
• 👩‍🔬 To extract DNA, strawberries are first mashed in a plastic bag to break up the cells and release the DNA.
• 🧪 A mixture of dish detergent, salt, and water is used to create an extraction liquid that helps break open the strawberry cells and release DNA.
• 🍓 The use of a coffee filter or gauze is essential to remove unwanted cellular debris from the strawberry mixture.
• 🧊 Cold rubbing alcohol is added to the extraction liquid to precipitate the DNA, causing it to form a visible, flocculent-like material.
• 🌀 Gentle swirling of the mixture after adding alcohol helps the DNA to precipitate and become more visible.
• 🧼 Detergent acts as a 'pin' to pop the cells open, allowing the DNA to be released into the extraction liquid.
• 🔎 The precipitated DNA appears whitish, viscous, and is humorously compared to snot, but represents the iconic double helix structure at a molecular level.
• 🏡 This demonstration shows that scientific experiments, such as DNA extraction, can be conducted using everyday household items.

Q & A

What is the purpose of using genomics with strawberries as mentioned in the script?

The purpose is to find a good use for strawberries by extracting DNA from them using a simple method that only requires household items.

How many copies of the genome does each strawberry cell have?

Each strawberry cell has eight copies of the genome, which is four times more per cell than humans.

Why is it easy to purify DNA from strawberries?

It's easy to purify DNA from strawberries because they contain a lot of DNA in each cell.

What materials are needed to extract DNA from strawberries according to the script?

The materials needed include a resealable plastic bag, two strawberries, two teaspoons of dish detergent, one teaspoon of salt, half a cup of water, two plastic cups, one coffee filter, half a cup of rubbing alcohol, one coffee stirrer, and optionally, two scientists.

Why is it important to remove the green stems from the strawberries before starting the DNA extraction process?

Removing the green stems is important because they are not part of the fruit and can interfere with the DNA extraction process.

What role does dish detergent play in the DNA extraction process?

Dish detergent helps to break open the strawberry cells, similar to popping a water balloon, allowing the DNA to be released into the solution.

How does the salt contribute to the DNA extraction process?

Salt is part of the extraction liquid that helps to dissolve and evenly disperse the detergent, creating an environment that allows DNA to be released from the cells.

What is the purpose of using a coffee filter in the DNA extraction process?

A coffee filter is used to filter out the cellular debris and other unwanted materials, leaving behind the liquid that contains the strawberry DNA.

How does rubbing alcohol help in the DNA precipitation process?

Rubbing alcohol is used to precipitate the DNA, causing it to come out of the liquid state and form a solid, flocculent-like material that can be seen and extracted.

What does the purified strawberry DNA look like according to the script?

The purified strawberry DNA looks like a whitish, viscous substance that resembles snot.

What is the significance of being able to extract DNA using only household items as described in the script?

The significance is that it demonstrates that scientific experiments, such as DNA extraction, can be conducted at home with simple, everyday materials, making science accessible and engaging for a wider audience.

Outlines

00:00

🍓 Strawberry DNA Extraction Introduction

The script begins with a discussion about using genomics to find a use for strawberries. The conversation quickly turns to the idea of extracting DNA from strawberries using household items. The process is introduced as being simple and convenient, with a focus on strawberries being an excellent source of DNA due to the high number of genome copies per cell. The hosts discuss the necessary materials, including a resealable plastic bag, strawberries, dish detergent, salt, water, plastic cups, a coffee filter, rubbing alcohol, and a coffee stirrer. They emphasize the importance of removing the green stems from the strawberries and note that fresh or frozen strawberries can be used.

05:06

🔬 The DNA Extraction Process

This section details the process of extracting DNA from strawberries. The hosts explain the need to break up the strawberries in a plastic bag to release the DNA from the cells. They then create an extraction liquid by mixing detergent, salt, and water, which will help break open the strawberry cells and release the DNA. The hosts pour this extraction liquid into the bag with the smashed strawberries, seal it, and gently mix it to avoid creating bubbles. The mixture is then filtered through a coffee filter to remove cellular debris, leaving behind a liquid containing the strawberry DNA. The hosts discuss the next step, which is to precipitate the DNA out of the solution using cold rubbing alcohol. They swirl the alcohol with the extraction liquid, causing the DNA to form a flocculent material that can be seen and fished out with a coffee stirrer.

10:07

🎉 Conclusion and Reflection on the DNA Extraction

The final paragraph wraps up the DNA extraction experiment. The hosts express their excitement about the process and the outcome, marveling at the appearance of the extracted DNA, which resembles snot. They emphasize the simplicity of the experiment, noting that it can be done with materials found in a kitchen. The hosts conclude by celebrating the successful isolation of strawberry DNA and the fun of doing science at home, leaving the audience with a positive impression of the accessibility and enjoyment of scientific experiments.

Keywords

💡Genomics

Genomics is the study of all the genes in an organism, including their functions, interactions, and mapping of their DNA sequences. In the video's context, genomics is used to explore the potential applications of strawberries, suggesting that DNA analysis could reveal valuable information about the fruit's composition or use. The script mentions using genomics to find a good use for strawberries, indicating that the video aims to demonstrate practical applications of genomics in everyday life.

💡DNA

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. The video focuses on extracting DNA from strawberries, a process that involves breaking open cells to release DNA into a solution. DNA is highlighted as a central component of the experiment, emphasizing the educational goal of understanding genetic material.

💡Extraction

Extraction in the context of the video refers to the process of isolating DNA from strawberries. The script describes a method using household items to extract DNA, which involves breaking cells open and then separating the DNA from other cellular components. Extraction is a fundamental technique in molecular biology and is central to the video's demonstration of a scientific experiment at home.

💡Household items

The video emphasizes the use of everyday household items for scientific experiments, making science more accessible. The script lists items like resealable plastic bags, strawberries, dish detergent, salt, water, plastic cups, coffee filters, and rubbing alcohol as the tools for DNA extraction. This approach underscores the theme of do-it-yourself science and the creativity involved in using common objects for scientific purposes.

💡Strawberries

Strawberries are used as the subject of DNA extraction in the video. The script mentions that strawberries have a high amount of DNA per cell, making them an ideal candidate for a home DNA extraction experiment. The use of strawberries not only serves as an educational tool but also adds an element of fun and familiarity to the scientific process.

💡Detergent

Detergent is used in the extraction process to break open the cell membranes of the strawberries, allowing the DNA to be released. The script describes adding detergent to a solution that includes salt and water, which helps in lysing the cells. Detergent's role in the process illustrates the video's theme of using common household chemicals for scientific purposes.

💡Cellular debris

Cellular debris refers to the leftover parts of cells after the DNA has been extracted. The script mentions filtering out this debris using a coffee filter to obtain a cleaner solution containing the DNA. The term 'cellular debris' is used to describe the unwanted byproducts of the extraction process, emphasizing the need for purification in scientific experiments.

💡Precipitation

Precipitation in the context of the video is a scientific technique used to cause DNA to凝结 or fall out of the solution, forming a solid. The script describes adding rubbing alcohol to the extraction liquid to precipitate the DNA, resulting in a visible, whitish material. This step is crucial for isolating the DNA and illustrates a fundamental concept in biochemistry.

💡Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is used in the video to precipitate the DNA out of the extraction liquid. The script specifies that the alcohol should be cold and equal in volume to the liquid, which helps in forming a visible layer of DNA. Rubbing alcohol serves as a non-toxic and easily accessible reagent for the DNA precipitation process.

💡Coffee filter

A coffee filter is used in the video to filter out the cellular debris from the strawberry mixture, allowing the liquid containing DNA to pass through. The script describes folding the coffee filter and using it to separate the clear liquid from the debris. The coffee filter serves as a simple and effective tool for purification in this home experiment.

💡Double helix

The double helix refers to the iconic structure of the DNA molecule, which consists of two chains coiled around each other. While not directly visible in the experiment, the script mentions that the extracted DNA would resemble the double helix at a molecular level. This concept is fundamental to understanding the structure and function of DNA and is mentioned to connect the visible outcome of the experiment to the underlying scientific concept.

Highlights

Using genomics to find a use for strawberries.

Household items are sufficient for the experiment.

Strawberries are easy to extract DNA from due to their high DNA content.

Each strawberry cell has eight copies of the genome.

The process of extracting DNA from strawberries is simplified due to the high DNA content.

List of materials needed for the DNA extraction experiment.

The importance of removing the green stems from strawberries.

Using fresh or frozen strawberries is acceptable.

Dish detergent is used to break open the strawberry cells.

The extraction liquid is prepared with detergent, salt, and water.

Smashing strawberries in a plastic bag releases DNA.

The coffee filter is used to remove cellular debris from the mixture.

Rubbing alcohol is used to precipitate DNA out of the solution.

The DNA appears as a whitish, viscous substance resembling snot.

The DNA extraction can be done entirely with kitchen materials.

The experiment demonstrates the possibility of doing science at home.

The final product is purified strawberry DNA.

Transcripts

[ Music ]

If only  

there was a good way to 

use genomics to find a good use for all these strawberries.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[inaudible]

Luckily you only need household items to do that. Otherwise, it 

would take us forever to set up but let's get going.

[ Background Sounds ]

Okay, well it's super convenient. You had a craving 

for strawberries. They're really easily to extract DNA from. 

We'll be experts in strawberry and DNA.

Do you know how many copies of the genome that each strawberry 

cell has?

No, how many?

Eight.

Eight?

Eight, 4 times more per cell than humans, so purifying DNA 

from a strawberry is really easy because it has so much  

DNA in it.

Oh, that's a lot.

Yeah.

Awesome.

It's sure awesome, no time to waste, let's use some science.

So let's just make sure we have all the materials we need.

Yeah, you know, it's always good to get organized.

Agreed. So first, 1 resealable plastic bag.

So I tend to use the small ones, 

you can use the big ones, but small ones work really well.

You're the experts so I will listen to that.

Okay.

Two strawberries.

Two strawberries.

Very important.

Two. And if I remember right, it's actually very good to take 

off the green stems and get rid of those.

Correct.

Okay.

And you can use fresh or frozen. Two teaspoons of dish detergent.

So we have the dish detergent, put that aside.

Okay.

And we have a teaspoon for measuring it.

Perfect. Alright, 1 teaspoon of salt.

So here's a teaspoon for measuring and here is the salt.

Great. Okay, a half cup of water.

So here we have a measuring cup, 

[inaudible] half a cup of water. I'll just sit that here.

Perfect. Okay, 2 plastic cups.

Got those.

Got those right here.

Okay.

One coffee filter.

[inaudible] we actually have an extra but yes I have a  

coffee filter.

You never know.

Yeah.

Might need 2. Half cup of rubbing alcohol,  

we've got that right here.

Yep.

Got to be careful with that. One coffee stirrer.

And I got 2 just in case we need an extra.

Wonderful.

There you go.

And probably most importantly, 1 scientist or in our case, 2 

scientists.

Alright.

Yes.

Okay, so you take the strawberries and what you have 

to do is to basically break up the strawberries first because 

then in the next step we're going to break open the cells 

that are in the strawberries to release the DNA. But to sort of 

help that process along, you really got to unfortunately be a 

little mean to your strawberries, so you put them in 

the plastic bag and you seal up the plastic bag and then you're 

going to gently just want to start smashing those 

strawberries and as best you can. Now there's lots of 

techniques that can be used for this. You don't want to get too 

violent because if you do, you could spray strawberries all 

over your kitchen table or all over yourself. But at the same 

time, you have to really work it good as much to get sort of 

strawberry puree. We just keep getting this to the point that 

all the big pieces are broken up and in doing so, you will then 

have it to a point where you can then go to the next step where 

you're going to break open then individual cells in strawberries 

and let the DNA come floating into solution. Here's the thing, 

in this bag are smashed up strawberries with a bunch of 

individual cells in them. And maybe one way to think about is 

like a water balloon and that's the cell and what we need to do 

is to break open that water balloon so that the DNA will 

come floating out. Now like a 

water balloon like you might use a nail to pop it but for this, 

what you do if you're dealing with a cell, is you use a 

detergent like detergent you use for--

[inaudible].

[inaudible] so we're going to make a solution that's going to 

both have detergent in it but it's also going to have other 

things like salt and water that make the DNA happy and 

comfortable floating around inside of a cell.

[inaudible].

[inaudible] take this what we call an extraction liquid, okay?

Little concoction sounds [inaudible].

[inaudible] start you at 2 teaspoons of the detergent.

Okay, sounds great. You want some?

No, no I already had breakfast.

Okay, just want to check, looks good though.  

Okay, 2 of those, 1 teaspoon of salt.

Yeah, maybe you can use a different teaspoon.

Yes, good thing I have 2.

Yep.

Alright. Perfect.

And then remember we have that half a cup of water--

Yes.

that was poured to the very top.

I'm going to meet you halfway.

Alright, thank you very much and then I'll just pour it in using 

my skills as a scientist and there you go. And now just  

shake it up a little.

[inaudible] shake.

Yeah, yeah and all you're really wanting to make sure to do is to 

make sure the salt gets into solution and that detergent sort 

of gets evenly dispersed [inaudible].

Okay.

Okay, so that's our extraction liquid.

Cool.

So now we're basically going to use that detergent like a little 

pin to pop the water balloons. Use the detergent to break open 

those strawberry cells. [inaudible] open this up.

Let's do it.

You can just pour it in.

Okay.

And there we have it. And so now you seal it. Now here you can't 

smash, you don't even want to smash because, of course, if you 

really start smashing then you really spew out the liquid and 

that would [inaudible] and 

actually the other thing is you don't want to be too tough with 

this because otherwise you'll get a lot of bubbles. But you 

just want to sort of work this around just like you're making a 

smoothie by hand. And so but here's the thing is that while 

all the DNA is now collecting in the liquid, if you look in 

there, you have a lot of other stuff that's in the way. Now 

scientifically, we might refer to that as cellular debris but 

you know it's just you know strawberry schmutz and you got 

to get rid of that strawberry schmutz and so that's why we use 

a coffee filter. It's now time to get rid of this schmutz and 

get the liquid that'll contain the strawberry DNA, so 

[inaudible] you can fold that for me.

[inaudible].

I'm going to use this as a filter. Now you can use a coffee 

filter, sometimes you could use gauze if you happen to have some 

gauze in your house. You just do whatever it takes to filter out 

all that schmutzy stuff that was in the strawberries and just let 

things slowly leak through, seep through like you're making drip 

coffee. So when most of the liquid has filtered through, 

what's good is to just remove that filter that contains all 

that strawberry schmutz and we can just put it on the side, we 

don't need that anymore.

Alright.

So this is basically the extraction liquid, which has the 

insides of all the cells of those strawberries including the 

DNA. And in order to get the DNA to come out of solution, we do a 

scientific step which is called precipitation--

[inaudible].

which is basically a way of getting a compound or molecule 

to sort of come out from being in the liquid state to being in 

a solid state. To do that, we use this rubbing alcohol--

Alright.

which you often want to have it be a little bit cold and I know 

this was in the refrigerator and that's good. You just want to 

add a equal amount, so what I always do is I just sort of 

estimate where my finger is as sort of the equal amount and you 

can just pour the alcohol up until about that amount--

Okay.

and a little more [inaudible] that's good.

Okay.

[inaudible] like that. And then what you want to do is not be 

overly harsh with this but you can sort of see there's almost 

like a layer, the alcohol's a bit on top--

[inaudible].

the extraction liquid's on the bottom, [inaudible] just sort of 

roughly sort of gently swirl it around and what you start to see 

forming sort of between those 2 layers is like a flocculent-like 

material sort of almost looks like cotton.

Yeah.

And as you swirl more and more and it gets more and more mixed 

you'll see more of it forming and that flocculent material is 

the DNA.

That's awesome.

But you know it's very whitish and it's sort of very viscous 

and what does it really look like in real life?

It kind of looks like snot.

It does look like snot and so-- And when you start to see big 

things of snot then you know it's really working well and you 

can even see here as we've done this, you can really start to 

see some of this precipitated DNA forming.

Wow, look at that.

And we can get more in a bit but what you can do is when you 

start to see it, that's where the coffee stirrer comes in and 

you can just sort of fish that out. Look at that, look at that.

That's awesome.

That is strawberry DNA, which, again, to our eyes  

looks like a bunch of snot.

[inaudible].

But in fact if we could look at it at a molecular level, it 

would just consist of that classical double helix, that 

sort of the iconic view of DNA 

but this is strawberry-- Purified strawberry DNA 

[inaudible] you could get and you could if you wanted to keep 

swirling but you can see you've got a tremendous amount there--

[inaudible].

which is great. And just imagine, you did all of this 

using materials that you have in your kitchen, so you can do 

science in your kitchen and do something that is as wonderful 

as isolate DNA from a strawberry.

That is really cool.

DNA  

extraction.

[ Music ]

Science is delicious.

Especially the DNA.

[ Music ]