We boil cheek cells primarily to extract their DNA by disrupting cellular structures.
Heating cheek cells, or any cells for that matter when the aim is to isolate DNA, is crucial for the following reasons:
Denaturing Cell Membranes and Proteins
- The primary goal of boiling is to denature the cell membrane and proteins. This means the heat causes these structures to unfold and lose their function.
Disrupting Cellular and Nuclear Structures
- Boiling helps to disrupt both the cell itself and the nuclear envelope, which surrounds the DNA within the nucleus.
Releasing DNA
- The disruption of the cell and nuclear membranes releases the DNA into the lysate (the fluid containing the cell components after lysis, or breakdown).
Facilitating DNA Purification
- Once released, the DNA can be precipitated and purified in subsequent steps, allowing researchers or experimenters to isolate and study the genetic material.
In summary, boiling cheek cells is a necessary step to break open the cells, release the DNA, and prepare it for further analysis or experimentation.
