Why does CaCl2 need to be added to cells to make them 'competent'? Why does CaCl2 need to be added to cells to make them 'competent'?

Question

Biology

Adalynn Ibarra

9 September, 11:31

Why does CaCl2 need to be added to cells to make them 'competent'? Why does CaCl2 need to be added to cells to make them 'competent'?

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Freddy Cohen · Answer 1

DNA is a negatively-charged molecule. Also cell membranes are negatively charged. The problem would be how to push this charges together? I f you put some CaCl2 into the mixture, the CaCl2 will "split" giving 2Cl - and Ca2+. This last ion will be attracted by the negatively charged DNA and will "cover" it, hiding its negative charge. Hope this answers the question.