Dna From Cheek Cells

Lab: DNA Extraction from Human Cheek Cells
Introduction
DNA…you hear about it all the time. DNA is used every day by scientists and lawyers to help in
criminal investigations, paternity suits, cloning, etc. Your DNA is your “genetic fingerprint”—this
means that your DNA is like no one else’s in the world! The procedure that we will use to see your
DNA includes the same basic processes that researchers use to isolate, analyze, and manipulate
DNA in a laboratory setting (although the DNA isolated here is not nearly as “pure” as the research
lab version).
DNA is a nucleic acid, made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous.
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. Watson and Crick were the two scientists that were credited
with the discovery of its structure. DNA is made up of several nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists
of a sugar, a phosphate and a nitrogenous base. There are four different nitrogenous bases. They are
adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine. Each base of a nucleotide attaches to a corresponding
base of another nucleotide by a hydrogen bond, Adenine will only bond with thymine and cytosine will
only bond with guanine. As nucleotide chains are
formed, the DNA takes the shape of a twisted
ladder.
DNA can be considered the hereditary “code of life”

because it possesses the information that
determines an organism’s characteristic and is
transmitted from one generation to the next. You
receive half of your genes from your mother and half
from your father. Day to day, DNA’s job is to direct
the functioning within the cells of your body.
DNA is in the nucleus of almost every cell in your

body. The length of DNA per cell is about 100,000
times as long as the cell itself. However, DNA only
takes up about 10% of the cell’s volume. This is because DNA is specially packaged through a series
of events to fit easily in the cell’s nucleus. The structure of DNA, the double helix, is wrapped around
proteins, folded back onto itself, and coiled into a compact chromosome.
Individual chromosomes can be studied using microscopes, but the double helix of a chromosome is
so thin that it can only be detected through innovative, high-tech procedures. Chromosomal DNA
from a single cell is not visible to the naked eye. However, when chromosomal DNA is extracted from
multiple cells, the amassed quantity can easily be seen and looks like strands of mucous-like,
translucent cotton.
We will first collect cheek cells by swishing a sports drink in our mouths and using our teeth to gently
scrape cells off our cheeks. (The more vigorous and the longer that you swish, the more cells are
removed, and the more materials you’ll have from which to extract DNA.) Then, we will lyse the cell
membranes by adding a detergent based cell lysis solution, which allows the DNA to be freed. DNA is
soluble in water, but much less soluble in alcohol. Thus, alcohol will be slowly added, and DNA will
precipitate to the sports drink/alcohol solution, and you will be able to see your own DNA! The white,
stringy material is thousands of DNA molecules stuck together (with some proteins too).
Experiment: Materials and Methods
1. Label your test tube with a piece of tape and your initials.
2. Obtain a small cup of sports drink and swish it around in your mouth for 1 full minute. As you
swish, gently and continuously scrape the sides of your cheeks with your teeth to help release
your cheek cells.
3. Spit the drink (with your collected cheek cells) back into the small cup.
4. Pour the contents of the cup into your labeled test tube (discard the cup).
5. Holding the test tube at an angle, use the provided plastic pipette to add 2mL (1 pipette full) of
cell lysis solution to your collected cheek cells.
6. Cap your test tube with your finger, and invert it 5-8 times. (This mixes the lysis solution with
the cheek cells.)
7. Place your test tube in the warm water bath for 2 to 5 minutes. Begin answering your lab
discussion questions. After 2 to 5 minutes, carefully remove your test tube.
8. Get rubbing alcohol from your teacher; add 9mL of the cold alcohol by letting it run gently run
down the side of the test tube (hold the test tube at an angle). You should have 2 distinct
layers. DO NOT mix the cheek cell solution with the alcohol!!!
9. Watch as wispy strands of translucent DNA begin to clump together where the alcohol layer
meets the cheek cell solution. (It kind of looks like cobwebs extending upward.)
10. Place your test tube in a test tube rack and let it stand undisturbed for 5-10 minutes. During
this time the DNA will continue to precipitate out.
11. Return to your desk and answer your LAB Discussion Questions.
12. Remove your test tube from the rack and observe your DNA. Take a pipette and remove some
of the DNA. Place the DNA on a slide and cover it with a plastic cover slip.
13. Go to a microscope and observe your DNA.
14. Complete your microscope drawing, discussion questions, and turn in your complete lab.
Clean your lab area.

Remove the tape from your test tube and place it in the disinfecting solution.
Name: _____________________________________________________
Discussion Questions
1. Where is DNA found in a eukaryotic cell? In a prokaryotic cell?
2. What does DNA stand for?
3. What 2 scientists discovered the structure of DNA?
4. DNA is made up of several nucleotides. What three components make up a nucleotide?
5. What are the four bases that make up the rungs of the DNA?
6. How is a base from one nucleotide attached to a base of a different nucleotide? (think “bond”)
7. How did you get your full set of DNA?
8. What is the function of DNA from day to day?
9. Why is DNA referred to as your genetic fingerprint?
10. What are two examples of how DNA can be used in society?
What do you see under the microscope? (draw & describe)
_______X
TEACHERS' NOTES
In order to understand what you are doing in this activity, it is

important that you know the "big picture" behind the methods we will be
using:
 Cells may be physically and chemically treated to break open the outer
cell membrane and inner nuclear membrane.
 The portion of the cell mixture containing DNA (the watery portion) will
be separated from the cell membranes and organelles (the gloppy
portion).
 The solution containing dissolved DNA will be chemically altered so

that the DNA can precipitate out of the solution in its solid, string-like
state.
Additional Notes
 The recipe for the Salt/detergent mixture is: 2 L distilled water, 100
mL detergent (we use Palmolive dishwashing detergent), 15 g salt.
 The ethanol needs to be ice cold--keep in freezer until the time it is

needed.
 There is about a 15-minute wait time--plan something DNA-ish during

this time.

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Lab: DNA Extraction from Human Cheek Cells

DNA can be considered the hereditary “code of life”

DNA is in the nucleus of almost every cell in your

13. Go to a microscope and observe your DNA.

Clean your lab area.

1. Where is DNA found in a eukaryotic cell? In a prokaryotic cell?

2. What does DNA stand for?

3. What 2 scientists discovered the structure of DNA?

4. DNA is made up of several nucleotides. What three components make up a nucleotide?

7. How did you get your full set of DNA?

8. What is the function of DNA from day to day?

9. Why is DNA referred to as your genetic fingerprint?

What do you see under the microscope? (draw & describe)

In order to understand what you are doing in this activity, it is

 The solution containing dissolved DNA will be chemically altered so

 The ethanol needs to be ice cold--keep in freezer until the time it is

 There is about a 15-minute wait time--plan something DNA-ish during

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