Bacteriology 14 Views 1 Answers
What is the purpose of CaCl₂ in bacterial transformation?
What is the purpose of CaCl₂ in bacterial transformation?
Calcium chloride is used to make bacterial cells competent for DNA uptake by destabilizing the cell membrane. The calcium ions neutralize the negative charges on both the bacterial cell membrane and the DNA, reducing repulsion and facilitating binding. The treatment also makes the membrane more permeable, enabling DNA to enter the cells during the heat shock step.