Final answer:
Lipases are used to break down the lipid components of cell and nuclear membranes during DNA extraction, which is part of the nucleic acid isolation process using a lysis buffer. This allows for the efficient release and purification of DNA for further analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lipases are necessary to use on a cell to extract DNA because they help break down the lipid components of the cell and nuclear membranes. This is crucial in the nucleic acid extraction process, which involves several steps to isolate DNA or RNA from cells. Lipases, along with other enzymes like proteases and ribonucleases (RNases), are utilized in a process involving a lysis buffer—a detergent-based solution that facilitates cell lysis, meaning it helps 'split' the cells open. Destruction of the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membranes is an essential step to allow access to the cellular contents, including the DNA.
After the cells are lysed, other macromolecules are inactivated and removed, followed by the precipitation of DNA using alcohol, which enables the collection of DNA as a visible white mass. By breaking apart the lipids effectively, lipases ensure that the extracted DNA is free from lipid contaminants and other cellular debris that might interfere with further DNA analysis or experimentation.