Properties of DNA (B1-1)
Spooling Mammalian DNA
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The DNA molecule from a single human chromosome is about 4 cm long and the length of DNA in an individual is about 200 times the distance from the earth to the sun. Isolated DNA in a test tube is also a long, stiff molecule. When alcohol is added to a DNA solution, the DNA fibers precipitate and can be spooled onto a glass rod. This feature of DNA is illustrated in the exercise, which provides enough purified DNA for 16 students working in pairs to perform the experiment. The spooling phenomenon is also used by the student to study the double-stranded nature of DNA and to investigate the effect of breaking DNA into small pieces with the enzyme DNAse.
Ethyl alcohol (90-100%) is needed but not provided.
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