In addition to disinfectants, various chemicals are used to treat suspended solids and turbidity in water. Coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate (alum) and ferric chloride, are added to facilitate the coagulation process, where small particles clump together to form larger aggregates known as flocs. These flocs can then be easily removed, resulting in clearer water. Flocculation agents can further assist in this process, enhancing the removal of impurities.
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is an essential component in the gel electrophoresis technique, enabling the effective separation of proteins based on size. By denaturing proteins and providing a uniform negative charge, SDS ensures that electrophoretic mobility is dictated solely by molecular weight. This makes SDS-PAGE a powerful and widely used tool in the study of proteins, facilitating numerous scientific discoveries and advancements in molecular biology. Understanding the function of SDS not only illuminates the principles of gel electrophoresis but also underscores its significance in research and diagnostics.