pehnol and cholorophorm are solvents that are used for chiefly to lysis the cell
ID: 51672 • Letter: P
Question
pehnol and cholorophorm are solvents that are used for chiefly to lysis the cells and or denature and remove proteins and lipids. how exactly phenol denature proteins and why doesnt it also denature DNA?
and also
briefly explain the answer
(Mass used in grams / MW) x Avogadro’s Number:
pUC18: [(10/10^9)g] / (2686 x 650)] x [6.022 x 10^23] = 3.45 x 10^9
pUC322: [(16/10^9)g] / 4360 x 650)] x [6.022 x 10^23] = 3.45 x 10^9
pUC325: [(22/10^9)g] / (5996 x 650)] x [6.022 x 10^23] = 3.45 x 10^9
Explanation / Answer
Phenol can denature proteins as it can solvate the hydrophobic interiors of the proteins. However, it cannot denature DNA, as it is hydrophobic and DNA is hydrophilic. Thus, polar solutes dissolve well in polar solvents and non-polar solutes dissolve well in non-polar solvents. Non-polar substances do not mix well with polar substances.
Action of phenol on proteins:
Phenol lowers the pH and detaches hydrogen ions. This increases the floating of charged ions around the protein. The charged ions start to interact with the tertiary and quartenary structures of protein and breaks those bonds. As these bonds break, the protein starts to unfold. As the protein loses its three dimensional structure, it can no longer functional and thus denatured.
Phenol cannot act on DNA, as DNA is not soluble in it. DNA usually remains in the aqueous layer. Even if the DNA is made to dissolve in pure phenol, it cannot be denatured. This is because phenol is hydrophobic in nature and DNA is hydrophilic.
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