- The main purpose of adding these compounds ( chloroform in particular) is for phase separation and to remove proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, and other organic substances.

- After centrifugation of the mixture of the lysate with chloroform isoamylalcohol, two clearly distinguishable phases appear: an upper, aqueous phase, and a lower , organic phase.

- DNA is found at interphase, while proteins partition in the organic phase.