What is the full name of SDS?

Prepare for the ASCP Molecular Biology (MB) Technologist Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to succeed!

The full name of SDS is Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate. This compound is a detergent commonly used in biochemistry and molecular biology laboratories, particularly in the process of protein denaturation and in the SDS-PAGE technique, where it helps to unfold proteins and impart a negative charge to them.

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate consists of a long hydrophobic tail (dodecyl) that interacts with lipid membranes and a hydrophilic head (sodium sulfate) that interacts with water, making it effective in solubilizing proteins. This characteristic allows for the separation of proteins based on their size during electrophoresis, as they will migrate through a gel matrix under an electric field according to their molecular weight.

The other options do not correctly describe the compound. For instance, "Sustained Dodecane Sulfate" and "Sodium Dodecane Solution" do not accurately reflect known chemical structures or the common use of SDS in molecular biology. "Sodium Decyl Sulfate" also misrepresents the alkyl chain length, as decyl refers to a ten-carbon chain, whereas dodecyl refers to a twelve-carbon chain, making option A the only accurate choice.

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