Final answer:
If LDH with ammonium sulfate is not dialyzed before ion exchange chromatography, it will likely travel straight through the column without proper binding, leading to poor separation due to the increased ionic strength and shielded interactions. Therefore, correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you do not dialyze your sample, in this case lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) with ammonium sulfate, before ion exchange chromatography, the most likely outcome is B) The LDH will travel straight through the column, leading to poor separation.
The presence of ammonium sulfate would result in an increase in the ionic strength of the solution, which could shield the charged groups on the proteins and the resin, reducing the interaction between LDH and the ion exchange resin.
Consequently, the LDH may fail to bind to the resin properly and could be eluted prematurely from the column without adequate separation.
Ion exchange chromatography relies on the attraction between ions in the sample and ions bound to the resin in the column. The strength and specificity of this interaction are critical for proper separation.
Without dialysis to remove the ammonium sulfate, the interference with these interactions would likely lead to ineffective purification of LDH.
Furthermore, it's important to note that this scenario does not typically result in LDH binding too tightly or forming irreversible complexes with the resin. Ion exchange chromatography is designed so that binding is reversible, allowing for the eventual elution of the protein of interest under the proper conditions.