ATP/ DNA extraction

What is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) structure

It contains three phosphate groups, ribose and and adenine

What is the similarities and differences between the structure of ATP and a nucleotide

Similar:

Both contain phosphate, a pentose sugar and a nitrogen base

Differences:

ATP has 3 phosphate groups, ribose instead of deoxyribose and ATP only has base A, adenine

How does ATP provide energy for biological processes

ATP stores energy as chemical potential when it is synthesise by ATP synthase in a condensation reaction.

ATP is hydrolysed to ADP and inorganic phosphate.
The products are more stable and have lower free energy than ATP, so energy is released.

What is phosphorylation

• Addition of a phosphate group to a molecule

• ADP is phosphorylated to form ATP

How is DNA purified

1. Using a pestle and mortar break down peas to a powder which breaks down cell walls

2. Cell lysis detergent or soap is used to dissolve cell membrane and nuclear envelope

3. Salt can be added to break hydrogen bonds between DNA and water.

4. Add protease enzymes to remove proteins bound to DNA, do this in a water bath

5. Add cold ethanol or isopropanol. DNA is insoluble in alcohol so comes out of solution as a stringy white precipitate. Cold ethanol used to reduce enzyme activity

6. DNA can be spooled out using a glass rod

Note:

Detergent or soap dissolves cell membrane as it is also amphipathic so they also have hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails like phospholipids. This means when cell membrane and detergent interact the hydrophobic tails of detergent inserts into lipid bilayer disrupting arrangement of membrane. Phospholipids and proteins are pulled a part and cell membrane breaks open releasing DNA and other cellular components.