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Sourav PanDecember 7, 2024

Why do you heat shock bacteria in transformation?

Why do you heat shock bacteria in transformation?

Sourav Pan
Sourav PanDecember 7, 2024

Answered

Heat shock is performed to temporarily disrupt the bacterial cell membrane and facilitate the uptake of foreign DNA. During transformation, competent cells are exposed to a sudden temperature increase, typically from 0°C to 42°C, for a brief period. This thermal shock creates pores in the cell membrane, allowing DNA to enter. The rapid cooling that follows stabilizes the membrane and retains the introduced DNA inside the cell.

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