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

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.