See your own DNA!

This was a really cool experiment we did today to see DNA! We chose to see Troy's DNA because he was the brave one who was willing to swish and gargle the salt water.

Experiment

Step 1: Dissolve 1 T of salt into 2 cups of water

Step 2: Put 3 T of salty water into a clear cup

Step 3: DNA donor swishes, gargles, and spits back into the clear cup (eww)

Step 4: Add a drop of dishwashing detergent into the cup. Stir slowly 3 times.

Step 5: Dribble 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol (best if chilled) down into the cup. Try to add this gently so the water and alcohol don't mix. We used a spoon to help the alcohol slide into the cup. (You could add food coloring to the alcohol to see the separation better, but we didn't.)

Step 6: Watch the thin strands of DNA collect in the alcohol! The strands link together and form a web or net of DNA.

So how does this work?

The skin cells are removed by gargling and swishing and spitting. The salty water copies our salty fluids in our bodies. When we add the drop of dish detergent, it breaks down the cell membrane and the DNA is released into the water. When the alcohol is added, the DNA moves together and joins to make strands. The DNA finally becomes visible to our eyes! Cool! Troy's DNA was awesome looking, but we expected that, given that he is a pretty awesome guy!

(I'd post pictures, but really, it looks like a thin strand of spit in water. That is gross, and it doesn't really show up in pictures too well!)

Christmas connection?

We try to relate everything we learn about to the gospel, and at this time of year, studying DNA is pretty awesome. We have an extremely unique set of DNA to learn about: our Savior's! The book, Behold the Messiah, by Robert Matthews, quotes Elder Bruce R. McConkie, "He was born into this world as the Son of Mary (inheriting from her the power of mortality) and as the Son of Man of Holiness (inheriting from him the powers of immortality)." We are so thankful for HIS unique DNA!