Which of the following is a method to lyse cells?

Sonication is a method used to lyse cells by applying high-frequency sound waves to a cell suspension. This process generates ultrasonic waves that create cavitation bubbles in the liquid, which, when they collapse, generate localized high temperatures and pressures. These forces disrupt the cellular membrane, leading to the release of the cell's contents.

This method is particularly effective for breaking open various types of cells, including bacteria and eukaryotic cells, making it a widely used technique in biochemistry and molecular biology to prepare extracts for further analysis or experimentation.

In contrast, chromatography is a separation technique used for purifying biomolecules rather than lysing cells. Dialysis is a method used to separate small molecules from larger ones, typically in a solution, but it does not break open cells. Precipitation involves the formation of a solid from a solution but is not a method used to lyse cells. Thus, sonication is the most appropriate choice among the options provided for the specific action of lysing cells.