DNA extraction

Question 1

What is the function of chaotropic salts in DNA extraction?

Answer 1

Chaotropic salts present in high quantities are able to disrupt cells, deactivate nucleases and allow nucleic acid to bind to silica. Once the genomic DNA is bound to the silica membrane, the nucleic acid is washed with a salt/ethanol solution.

Question 2

DNA extraction

Answer 2

is a method to purify DNA by using physical and/or chemical methods from a sample separating DNA from cell membranes, proteins, and other cellular components.

Question 3

There are five basic steps of DNA extraction that are consistent across all the possible DNA purification chemistries:

Answer 3

1) disruption of the cellular structure to create a lysate
2) separation of the soluble DNA from cell debris and other insoluble material
3) binding the DNA of interest to a purification matrix
4) washing proteins and other contaminants away from the matrix
5) elution of the DNA

Question 4

What is lysate?

Answer 4

A fluid containing the contents of lysed cells

In molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology laboratories, cell cultures may be subjected to lysis in the process of purifying their components, as in protein purification, DNA extraction, RNA extraction, or in purifying organelles.