bio class, not doin so hot. need help for 10 pts.
2007-02-06 03:58:49 · 5 answers · asked by evansaurus_rex 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Basically...
DNA is soluble in water due to the negative charge on the phosphate group. In order to extract DNA (and one would be able to see it), a liquid which is less polar than water must be used.
Ethanol probably would not be good enough as it's polarity is very close to that of water. So, the use of butan-1-ol would be more appropriate as it has a longer R chain (CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-OH) than ethanol (CH3-CH2-OH). The fact that the R chain is longer in butan-1-ol than ethanol, it renders butan-1-ol more NON-POLAR than ethanol.
Probably the use of diethyl ether would be much better, but due to it's highly explosive nature, an alcohol would be more appropriate.
2007-02-06 05:01:53 · answer #1 · answered by caribbeanbluesky 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that it has to do with the properties of the alcohol. Like you know if something is acidophilic or basophilic... Now DNA is an acid and alcohol is basic... so therefore, the DNA will be attracted to that. I genuinely think this should be it.
2007-02-06 12:33:14 · answer #2 · answered by Heidi D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
DNA is lighter than Alcohol and floats to the top. But, I may be wrong on this too.
2007-02-06 12:07:04 · answer #3 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh! I know that answer. :).I have read it in any of the Biology Reference book. Feel free to read and revised carefully.
Check for DNA and other related...
2007-02-06 12:10:47 · answer #4 · answered by Khamirul Bin Mataree 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
look it up online about the properties of these elements.
2007-02-06 12:03:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋