Outline the typical process of protein purification.

The typical process of protein purification involves several key steps designed to isolate and extract a specific protein from a complex mixture, such as a cell lysate or tissue sample. The correct answer involves cell lysis, extraction, filtration, chromatography, and analyzing the final product.

Initially, cell lysis is performed to break open cells and release their contents, including proteins. This is crucial as it allows access to the proteins needed for purification. Following this step, extraction takes place, which might involve various methods to stabilize proteins in solution and minimize their degradation.

Filtration is employed next to remove cell debris and other large particles from the solution, ensuring a clearer sample for subsequent purification. After filtration, chromatography techniques are used, which may include methods like affinity, ion exchange, or size exclusion chromatography, each targeting different properties of the protein of interest to further purify it from contaminants.

Finally, analyzing the final product involves assessing purity and function through various techniques, such as SDS-PAGE or mass spectrometry, to confirm that the desired protein is obtained in an adequate quantity and quality.

The other options contain processes that are not typically involved in standard protein purification protocols. For example, crystallization can be a step for protein characterization but is not a standard purification