SCIENCE

YEAR 10 BIOLOGY - GENETICS

Have you ever thought about how scientists extract DNA from organisms? In Year 10 Biology, we began learning about genetics and how traits are passed down through generations via genes, which are stored in DNA. Because genetic code is preserved in DNA, being able to extract and analyse it would be highly useful in research.

Many people believe that because DNA is so small, it cannot be seen without the use of strong microscopes. However, on Friday 7 October, we conducted a strawberry extraction experiment in which we solved the molecular mystery behind DNA and collected hundreds of cells in order to observe it with the naked eye.

When we added the salt and detergent solution to the smashed strawberries, the detergent helped lyse the strawberry cells, releasing the DNA into liquid, whereas the salt created an environment in which the various DNA strands could collect and cluster, making them easier to observe. And there it was, taking on the form of a fluffy white substance, was the very exact DNA that was in the strawberries a few minutes ago.

Overall, this experiment proved to be a helpful step into the new topic and was a great insight into how DNA could be examined in research.

Nefeli Tsichla-Theodosiou & Nicole Lam

Year 10 Students