Final answer:
In liquid chromatography, a protein molecule's interaction with the materials of the matrix determines its separation and movement through the column. Stronger interaction with the stationary phase leads to longer retention time. Additionally, increased protein-protein interactions can result in the precipitation of proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
In liquid chromatography, the more that a protein molecule interacts with the materials of the matrix, the stronger its interaction with the stationary phase and the longer it takes to pass through the chromatography column. This is because the solutes separate into individual bands based on the strength of their interaction with the stationary phase. As the protein-protein interaction increases, precipitation of proteins increases, leading to the salting-out of proteins.