Phenol-chloroform extraction is a liquid-liquid extraction technique used to separate nucleic acids from proteins and other cellular contaminants in a biological sample. This method exploits the differential solubility of molecules in aqueous and organic phases, facilitating the purification of DNA or RNA for downstream applications.

Phenol-chloroform Extraction

Phenol-chloroform extraction

liquid-liquid extraction technique

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are essential biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information in all living organisms. They are composed of long chains of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base, enabling the encoding of genetic instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of life.

nucleic acids

Proteins are complex macromolecules essential for various biological functions, including catalyzing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, and transporting molecules. They are composed of amino acids linked in a specific sequence, which determines their structure and function.

proteins

cellular contaminants

A biological sample is a specimen taken from a living organism, used for scientific research, diagnosis, or treatment. These samples are crucial for understanding biological processes, developing medical therapies, and advancing personalized medicine.

biological sample

Differential solubility refers to the varying degrees to which different compounds or elements dissolve in a solvent under specific conditions, a factor heavily utilized in separation and purification processes in chemistry and biochemistry. Understanding this concept allows for the strategic manipulation of solvent systems to isolate desired substances based on their unique solubility properties.

differential solubility

Molecules are the smallest units of a chemical compound that retain the composition and chemical properties of that compound, formed when two or more atoms join together chemically. They play a crucial role in the structure and function of all matter, from the simplest gases to the most complex biological organisms.

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