What explains the result?
Mashing breaks tissue; soap disrupts membranes, salt helps cell material clump, and cold alcohol makes DNA-rich material less soluble.
LIFE SCIENCE · GRADES 6–10
Strawberry DNA extraction
INVESTIGATION QUESTIONHow does fruit type affect the visible DNA-rich precipitate?
● ILLUSTRATIVE SCIENCE MODEL
ENGLISH CAPTIONS
Weigh equal fruit samples. Equal starting masses make the visible precipitate comparison more interpretable.
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Where does this matter?
DNA extraction is an entry point to genetics, forensics, and biotechnology.
What should you keep in mind?
Do not predict a universal winner from chromosome-set count. Visible precipitate is a crude mixture, not pure DNA; compare equal fruit mass and extraction conditions.
DEDICATED INVESTIGATION · GRADES 6–10
Fruit DNA
extraction suite
Process equal masses of strawberry and banana with the same method. Compare the visible precipitate without assuming fruit type or chromosome count predicts a winner.
01PREPARE02DISRUPT03LYSE CELLS04FILTER05PRECIPITATE06OBSERVE
SPECIMEN CARD · SAMPLE A
Strawberry cells
- Equal starting fruit mass
- Same buffer and extraction steps
- Same cold-alcohol volume
The visible strands are cell material containing DNA, not purified DNA. Compare equal fruit masses and report what the procedure actually shows.
STRAWBERRY SAMPLE · STANDBYLOW LIGHT / COLD PHASE
DNA WORKSTATION
BERRY SAMPLE
FILTERED EXTRACT
01 · MASH + LYSE02 · FILTER03 · PRECIPITATE
OBSERVATION LOG
Waiting for procedure actions…
DNA extraction is an early step in many genetics workflows. Researchers may then use carefully controlled purification and analytical methods; the classroom precipitate is only a visible introduction.
Rubbing alcohol is flammable and can irritate eyes. An adult should handle cold alcohol away from flames, sparks and heat. Wear eye protection, do not taste the sample, and follow local disposal instructions.