1. Pictures

Cheek cell DNA:

Stained cheek cells:

Cheek cells with membrane disruption:

2. Cheek cells are easily removed from the inner lining of the mouth and are a great source of DNA from a person. However, the cells must be broken apart before the DNA can be extracted and studied. There are multiple ways of degrading cheek cells. The goal of each method is the same; break apart all membranes inside of a cell without destroying the strands of DNA. Which of the above solutions do you believe would be useful in this process and why?

Both solutions are useful in the process of studying DNA, however, the first option included more steps such as adding different chemicals and spinning the DNA onto a rod. The results were also less reliable because sometimes the DNA wouldn’t appear or would be hardly visible. The second option allowed you to see the cells clearly under a microscope with all of the details, whereas the first option only had a small amount of DNA that you could study.

3. Comment on the three different labs involving cheek cells: what did you find interesting/new?

For the first lab, it was interesting to see your DNA appear after the experiment, as well being able to see your DNA as a tangible object. In the second lab, I was able to use a microscope for the first time, and figure out how to use the different functions of the microscope to be able to see the cheek cells. Lastly, in the third lab, using different chemicals to disrupt the cheek cells and seeing the difference between the normal cell and the cell that had dishwashing soap/acid on it was interesting to see.