This week we have two fun activities for everyone to try!
- Gather your materials and extract the DNA from a strawberry!
- Read up on our introduction to fingerprints, and take an impression of your own. What type of fingerprint do you have?
Share your results with us at summerreading@tnrd.ca!
Strawberry DNA Activity
For this activity you will need:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Water
- Small glass container (2), medium glass container
- Spoon
- Dish soap
- Salt
- Strawberry
- Zipper-lock bag
- Strainer
- Tweezers
Instructions:
1. Place a bottle of isopropyl alcohol into the freezer for later use. Next, pour 90mL of water in a glass container.
5. Pour the extraction mixture into the bag with the strawberry.
6. Remove as much air from the bag as possible and ensure that it is properly sealed.
7. Using your fingers, squish the strawberry inside of the bag until there are no large pieces remaining.
8. Pour the strawberry mixture through a strainer and allow it to drip into a glass below. Use a spoon to help force more of the mixture through the strainer.
9. Transfer the liquid into a smaller glass container (roughly 50-100mL in size) to help isolate the DNA on the surface of the mixture.
10. Add 1 tsp (5mL) of the chilled isopropyl alcohol to the liquid and hold it up to eye level. The white layer on the top of the container is the DNA separating from the rest of the liquid!
11. Use tweezers to remove the DNA from the container and place it on a dish to examine.
Image/Instructions by Steve Spangler, https://bit.ly/3jzereV, accessed June 1st, 2021.
Fingerprints: A Brief Overview
There are three different types of fingerprints: arches, loops, and whorls.
Loops are the most common. People with this type of fingerprint can even have double loops, where the ridges make a curvy ‘S’ shape.
Whorls are moderately common, and they are distinguished by their circular pattern
Finally, arches are the least common type of fingerprint, which have ridges that form a hill. Some can even look like the shape of a pointed tent!
Examine Your Own Fingerprint!
You will need:
- A balloon
- A marker (preferably black)
Instructions:
- Color your thumb (or other finger) with the marker.
- Press your finger onto the balloon.
- Let it dry for about a minute.
- Blow up the balloon enough to enlarge your print, but not so much that it becomes distorted!
- What type of fingerprint do you have? Share your experience with us at summerreading@tnrd.ca!