Cationic surfactants precipitate nucleic acids, presumably by forming reverse micelles in which the ahphatic tails of the surfactant face the aqueous phase, and the cationic head groups bind to the nucleic acid electrostatically. The precipitate can be dissolved in organic solvents, or it can be redissolved in water by the addition of salt. Selected cationic surfactants are capable of lysing cells, by solubilizmg their protem and lipid components.
