Final answer:
c) increasing the DNA yield.
The dish soap in the extraction buffer breaks down cell membranes, allowing the release of DNA from the cells and
Step-by-step explanation:
The dish soap in the extraction buffer plays a crucial role in the DNA extraction process. It functions to break down cell membranes, which allows the release of DNA from the cells.
This is achieved through the action of detergents in the dish soap that disrupt the lipid molecules in the cell and nuclear membranes (Protease and RNase are not involved in this step).
By breaking down these membranes, the dish soap helps to release the DNA into the extraction buffer, increasing the DNA yield.
The dish soap in the extraction buffer assists in the lysis of cell membranes during the DNA extraction process.
Specifically, the soap's role is to help break down the lipid molecules within the cell and nuclear membranes, a critical step to ensure the release of DNA from the cells.
By disrupting these membranes, the soap facilitates the subsequent stages of the protocol, wherein cellular components are digested and DNA is separated.
This allows for the transfer of the supernatant, which contains the extracted DNA, to a clean tube where it can be purified further, often through precipitation with alcohol.
To fully clarify the options given in the question, the dish soap aids in releasing the DNA rather than precipitating it, increasing yield, or affecting enzymatic activities directly.