HOW TO… Practical projects to try at home
How to extract banana DNA
Break apart this fruit’s cells to view its genetic material
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DON’T DO IT ALONE
IF YOU’RE UNDER 18, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN ADULT WITH YOU
YOU WILL NEED:
• A ripe banana
• Isopropyl alcohol (90 per cent)
• Measuring cup
•A teaspoon of salt
• Washing up liquid
• Coffee filter
• Narrow glass
• Spoon
• Elastic band
© Illustrations by Ed Crooks
1
Cool the isopropyl
The first thing you need to do is place your bottle of isopropyl alcohol into the freezer. The alcohol won’t freeze like water, but it needs to be as cold as possible for this experiment.