The chemical structure shown below is for sodium lauryl sulfate, a commonly used

Question

The chemical structure shown below is for sodium lauryl sulfate, a commonly used laboratory detergent. If you added this chemical to a culture of bacteria, they lyse. What would be a reasonable cause for this action on the cells? O-S-O Select all that apply: a. Many SDS molecules in solution will form a micelle due to the hydrophobic tails and the hydrophilic head. b. The negatively charged oxygen atom would be exposed on the hydrophilic surface of the membrane. cross out cross out C. The amphipathic nature of this molecule can result in SDS inserting into cross out the cell membrane. d, The nonpolar portion of SDS can form van der Waals interactions with the hydrocarbon chains of the phospholipids. cross out

Explanation / Answer

Detergents are surfactants which break hydrophilic and hydrophobic interface present between cells and their environment. SDS is one of the most common surfactant used in the lab and also for lysing gram negative bacteria. This surfactant has hydrophilic head and a long hydrophobic tail. The hydrophobic tail inserts in the membrane and disperses it away. Cytosolic proteins are removed in the form of small micelle drop let's. These events result in the lysis of the cells.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.