The document outlines the process of DNA extraction from cells, detailing the steps involved, including breaking down the cell membrane, mixing with soap, filtering out unnecessary components, and using alcohol to separate DNA. It mentions key cellular structures such as ribosomes and the nucleus while emphasizing the importance of each step in accessing DNA. Additionally, it includes questions to test understanding of the process and its significance.

1. Fruit Loops
DNA Extraction
Breaking Down Cell Structure
to Extract DNA
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 1

2. Cell Structure
Cell Function
Review
Ribosome
Endoplasmic
Chromosomes
Reticulum
Nucleus Lysosome
(Vacuole)
Nuclear
Membrane
Golgi
Body
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 2

3. Name that function…
Ribosome
Endoplasmic
Chromosomes
Reticulum
Nucleus Lysosome
(Vacuole)
Nuclear
Membrane
Golgi
Body
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 3

4. Making our way to the DNA
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 4

5. Step 1
Breaking down the cell
membrane
How do you break down fats?
Cell membrane is a layer of lipid (fat)
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 5

6. Step 2
Mix, mix, and more mixing
Mixing the cells in the soap
breaks down the cell
La, la, la…
membrane and the
nuclear membrane to get
us to the DNA.
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 6

7. Step 3
Filtering out the chunks
We filter out the parts of
the cell that we do not
need:
1. Cell membranes
2. Nuclear membranes
3. Cell organelles
I’m in here!
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 7

8. Step 4
Alcohol Separation
Alcohol denatures the DNA
and separates it from the
liquid by making it
clump.
Denaturing changes
the structure of the
molecule
Denatured DNA
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 8

9. Test your knowledge
• Why is it so difficult to get to the DNA?
• What process removes the DNA from the
cell?
• Why would scientists need to extract
DNA?
• Can you think of other substances that we
can extract DNA from?
© T. Rosa & B.R. Shmaefsky 9