Potassium chloride solution, 1M (CAS 7447-40-7)

Potassium chloride solution, commonly referred to as KCl solution, is a vital chemical reagent utilized across various scientific disciplines, particularly in biochemistry, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry. This solution is meticulously prepared by dissolving potassium chloride salt in water to achieve a concentration of 1 molar (1M), resulting in a clear, colorless liquid. In scientific research, potassium chloride solution serves multiple purposes owing to its diverse properties and functionalities. One of its primary uses is as a source of potassium ions (K+) in biochemical and physiological experiments. Potassium ions play essential roles in cellular processes such as enzyme activation, membrane potential regulation, and osmoregulation, making KCl solution indispensable in cell culture media and physiological buffer systems. Moreover, potassium chloride solution finds applications in molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid isolation, purification, and electrophoresis. It is often used as a component in DNA and RNA extraction protocols, where it helps stabilize nucleic acids and facilitate their precipitation. Additionally, KCl solution serves as an electrolyte in agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, providing ionic conductivity for the separation of nucleic acid fragments based on size. Furthermore, potassium chloride solution is employed in analytical chemistry for calibration standards, solution preparation, and ion-selective electrode calibration. Its known concentration and stability make it a reliable reagent for accurate measurements and titrations in chemical analysis.