Dialysis (biochemistry)

Dialysis (biochemistry)

Dialysis (biochemistry) is a process used in biochemistry to separate molecules based on their size and shape. This process is often used to remove unwanted small molecules from a solution of larger molecules.

Process

Dialysis works by diffusion, a process where molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In dialysis, a semi-permeable membrane is used to separate the small molecules from the larger ones. The small molecules pass through the membrane, while the larger molecules are retained.

File:Dialysis (biochemistry).jpg

A diagram showing the process of dialysis in biochemistry.

Uses

Dialysis is used in a variety of applications in biochemistry. It is often used to remove salts or other small molecules from a solution of larger molecules, such as proteins. This can be important in the preparation of samples for further analysis or use.

Types of Dialysis

There are several types of dialysis used in biochemistry, including:

• Continuous dialysis: This is a type of dialysis where the dialysis solution is continuously replaced. This can be useful for removing a large amount of small molecules from a solution.

• Equilibrium dialysis: This is a type of dialysis where the solution is allowed to reach equilibrium, meaning that the concentration of small molecules is the same on both sides of the membrane.

• Microdialysis: This is a type of dialysis that uses a small dialysis membrane. This can be useful for analyzing small samples.

See Also

• Biochemistry
• Diffusion
• Semi-permeable membrane
• Continuous dialysis
• Equilibrium dialysis
• Microdialysis