Quick DNA Extraction from Strawberries Challenge
⚠️ Safety Warning
Do not drink the rubbing alcohol — it is toxic. Adult supervision required. Wash hands thoroughly after.
All experiments require adult supervision.
Materials You'll Need
Gather these 8 items before starting
💡 Tip: Check off items as you gather them to stay organized!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these 8 steps carefully
place 2-3 strawberries in a ziplock bag and seal it.
Mash the strawberries thoroughly through the bag for 2 minutes.
In a cup, mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/3 cup water.
Add this extraction liquid to the bag with the strawberries and gently mix.
Let sit for 10 minutes — the soap breaks open the cells.
Place a coffee filter over a clean cup and pour the mixture through it.
Slowly pour very cold rubbing alcohol down the side of the cup so it forms a layer on top.
Wait 2-3 minutes and watch white stringy clumps appear — that is real DNA!
✅ Remember: Take your time with each step and ask an adult for help if needed!
The Science Behind It 🔬
Every living thing is made of cells, and every cell contains DNA — the instruction manual for building and running that organism. Strawberries are perfect for this experiment because they have 8 copies of each chromosome (they are octoploid), meaning tons of DNA! The mashing breaks open the fruit, the soap dissolves the cell and nuclear membranes (which are made of fats), and the salt helps the DNA strands clump together. DNA does not dissolve in cold alcohol, so it comes out of solution as visible white strings. You are literally holding the code of life! Try changing one variable at a time to see how it affects the results — this is called the scientific method!