Fun Activities

On The Job

Research and Development - Biotechnologist

Offline

bullet.gif (981 bytes)How to extract DNA from a Kiwi Fruit

MiddleMiddle High SchoolSecondary

CriticalAustralian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

TeacherTeacher: Kiwi DNA Extraction:

How do you purify DNA from cells? Students extract DNA from kiwifruit to learn about the chemical and physical properties of DNA. This activity provides a first-hand understanding of how DNA can be isolated for further analysis, such as DNA fingerprinting. Students also reinforce their understanding of cell structure and biological macromolecules. We use a kiwifruit protocol because it uses commonplace materials and requires little equipment.
(Source: Biotech Project Activities)

1. The Naked Scientists from the University of Cambridge, UK have come up with a simple experiment to extract DNA from Kiwi Fruit. All the instructions and equipment you need are detailed.

Naked Scientists

Local copy: All the instructions and equipment you need are detailed if this link no longer works.

What You Need

  • A kiwi fruit (an onion will do if you don't have a kiwi)

  • 5g washing up liquid or hand soap

  • 2g salt

  • 100ml tap water

  • 100ml of ice cold alcohol (white rum or methylated spirits are best). Put in freezer for at least 30 mins.

  • kettle

  • 3 jars

  • large basin

  • some thing to mash the kiwi with

  • sieve or coffee filter paper

  • knife (be careful!)


2. Follow the instructions listed and you will extract DNA in one lesson period.

3. Look at the explanation of how the chemicals used breaks open the cells and allows the DNA to be released. What did you learn from this experiment?

Knowing how to extract DNA will help you understand how DNA Fingerprinting occurs.

How does DNA fingerprinting work? - Naked Science Scrapbook
https://youtu.be/ZxWXCT9wVoI

 

TeacherTeacher: For further classroom activities around Biotechnology see Biotech Project

Biotech Project

 

Students: DNA & Extraction from Kiwi Fruit.

Local Copy of Instructions - Word docx

Work in groups of 3 - 4 students, each responsible for different aspects.

Be careful with boiling water.



Online

bullet.gif (981 bytes)Why isn't Australia capitalising on being "an algae gardener's paradise"?

MiddleMiddle High SchoolSecondary

LiteracyAustralian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

NumeracyAustralian Curriculum General Capability: Numeracy

ICT Capability Australian Curriculum General Capability: ICT Capability

Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability Priority

 

1. Read the following articles about the Biofuel Industry in Australia. Take notes on its feasibility, the effects on the environment, and, the cost of construction and maintenance.

Can we save the algae biofuel industry?
The Conversation: 9 May 2016


The Conversation


Explainer: What are Biofuels?
The Conversation 2 April 2013


The Conversation
Sustainable oil from algae: the technology is ready, but what about the politics?
29 July 2015


The Conversation
Explainer: the evolution of biofuels September 2011

The Conversation

side 5

side bar

side bar

sidebar 9

Jeweller side

side 5

side bar

side bar

sidebar 9

Jeweller side

side 5

side bar

side bar

sidebar 9

Jeweller side

side 5

side bar