Sonication

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Sonication

Sonication (pronounced: soh-ni-kay-shun) is a process that uses sound waves to agitate particles in a solution. This technique is commonly used in many areas of science including biochemistry, molecular biology, and medical research.

Etymology

The term "sonication" is derived from the Latin word "sonus" meaning sound, and the suffix "-ation" which denotes an action or process.

Process

Sonication involves the use of a device known as a sonicator to emit high-frequency ultrasound waves. These waves create pressure changes within the solution, leading to the formation and collapse of microscopic bubbles. This process, known as cavitation, causes the particles in the solution to move rapidly, resulting in their agitation.

Applications

Sonication is used in various fields for different purposes. In medicine, it is used to break down cells to study their components, a process known as cell lysis. In biochemistry, it is used to dissolve solids and degas liquids. In molecular biology, it is used to shear DNA for sequencing.

Related Terms

  • Sonicator: A device used to generate ultrasound waves for sonication.
  • Cavitation: The formation and collapse of bubbles in a liquid, caused by changes in pressure.
  • Cell Lysis: The breakdown of a cell caused by damage to its plasma membrane.
  • DNA Shearing: The process of breaking DNA strands into smaller fragments.

External links

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