That day, we conducted an experiment: the extraction of DNA from
fruits. I had brought along a strawberry for this experiment. First, we needed to place our fruit in a zip-lock bag together with a spoonful of common salt and dishwasher. Then, after closing the bag, we were to smash our fruits into really fine pieces. I could hear lots of banging on the table as people smashed their fruits. After we have smashed our fruits into fine pieces, we were to slowly pour the smashed content into a small container till it's half-filled. Next comes the really exciting part. Tilting the container at a 45 degree angle, we gently added alcohol so that the container becomes three-quarters full. Now all we had to do was wait. I stared intently at the container and I was delighted at seeing the DNA strands of the strawberry!! These DNA strands appeared as white thin strings. I had taken several snapshots of the strawberry DNA as shown above. This experiments enables me to know the method of extraction of DNA from a fruit. I think that this is a really fun way to learn about the extraction of DNA s. We get to have hands on activities and at the same time, are able to learn about the extraction of DNA s. We should have more of such experiments in the future.
Mdm Riza also went through some information about DNA. I've learnt that humans communicate through sentences while DNA communicates through codes formed by 4 letters: A, T, C and G. DNA genes are known as instructions which will tell the DNA what proteins to make.
