What is the role of sonication during protein extraction - Assignment Example

Role of Sonication in Protein Extraction Sonication is a process that involves the application of high intensity sound energy with the key to agitate particles of a biological sample. Normally, the process of sonication comprises the use of ultrasound waves. In addition, a machine called a sonicator is effective in carrying out procedures during sonication. According to Tan and Yiap (2009, 3) protein extraction is a process that isolates protein from a biological material such as conserved tissues and cell.

Protein purification is important as it allows the analysis and study of different components and structure of the protein. Sonication plays a role in the process of protein extraction. A sonicator, which is an ultrasonic device, helps grind samples that contain the protein. This initiates the sonication process. Sound waves that contain high intensity produced in the process of sonication disrupt cells. This in turn facilitates the extraction of protein from the cells and tissues after breaking open (Emily, 2012, 5).

A sonicator consists of two tips of different sizes. The variation in tips creates diversity in the grounding of samples regardless of their amount. Large samples are ground in tubes with wide mouths while smaller samples are ground in eppendorfs. According to the Journal of Theoretical Biology, the process of sonication produces different efficiency levels (Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2012, 76) There is more resistance to the process by cell walls as compared to cell membrane. To tackle this, the samples with cell walls become flash frozen.

This facilitates sonication. In conclusion, the process of sonication becomes essential in protein extraction. It is a mechanical method. Complemented by other chemical procedure of protein extraction, sonication allows the cells to break open and protein extracted from them by use of high intensity light. Works CitedCrow Emily (2012), “How to Lyse Cells for Protein Extraction,” Technologies and TechniquesTan Sium C., Yiap Beow C.,(2009) “DNA, RNA and Protein Extraction: The Past and the Future,” Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology.

Journal of Theoretical Biology, Volume 298, 7 April 2012, Pages 77-81