Question

According to the Lab Safety Sheet provided for this week, which of the following is a potential hazard you will face in the b-galactosidase assay lab? (Check all that apply)Select one or more:
a. Water reactive chemicals
b. Corrosive chemicals
c. Chemicals causing respiratory tract, eye and skin irritation
d. Potentially carcinogenic chemicals
e. Radioactive materials

Answer 1

Answer:

Chemicals causing respiratory tract, eye and skin irritation.

Potential Carcinogenic chemicals

Explanation:

b-galactosidase is an enzyme encoded by Lac Z gene of the lac operon in E. coli. It hydrolyses b-galactosides and lactose into monosaccharides which are simple sugars

In order to carry out this assay, materials including b-mercaptoethanol and ONPG(o-nitrophenyl-b-d-galactopyranoside) are used.

b-Mercaptoethanol produces vapors which can cause respiratory tract irritation if inhaled and ONPG is a potential carcinogenic chemical.