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Questions and Answers
What is the reason longer nucleic acid molecules migrate more slowly during electrophoresis?
What is the reason longer nucleic acid molecules migrate more slowly during electrophoresis?
What is the role of a DNA restriction endonuclease in nucleic acid electrophoresis?
What is the role of a DNA restriction endonuclease in nucleic acid electrophoresis?
What determines the migration of nucleic acids during electrophoresis?
What determines the migration of nucleic acids during electrophoresis?
What is the main responsibility of the gel matrix during electrophoresis?
What is the main responsibility of the gel matrix during electrophoresis?
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What type of gels are commonly used for DNA electrophoresis?
What type of gels are commonly used for DNA electrophoresis?
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What separates nucleic acid molecules in gel electrophoresis?
What separates nucleic acid molecules in gel electrophoresis?
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What is the main function of DNA in living cells?
What is the main function of DNA in living cells?
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What does polymorphic DNA refer to?
What does polymorphic DNA refer to?
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What was the pioneering work of Dr. Alex Jeffreys related to?
What was the pioneering work of Dr. Alex Jeffreys related to?
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What was the first application of DNA fingerprinting as a forensic tool?
What was the first application of DNA fingerprinting as a forensic tool?
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What is the best way to ensure accuracy in pipetting?
What is the best way to ensure accuracy in pipetting?
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What is precision related to in pipetting?
What is precision related to in pipetting?
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What is the purpose of mastering pipetting-by-numbers practice in the experiment?
What is the purpose of mastering pipetting-by-numbers practice in the experiment?
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What skill should be developed to maximize the accuracy and precision of experiments?
What skill should be developed to maximize the accuracy and precision of experiments?
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What technology did the FBI establish in 1990 for comparing crime scene DNA to convicted offender profiles?
What technology did the FBI establish in 1990 for comparing crime scene DNA to convicted offender profiles?
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What is the initial method used in forensic DNA fingerprinting that required large amounts of DNA and took several days to complete?
What is the initial method used in forensic DNA fingerprinting that required large amounts of DNA and took several days to complete?
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What technology has been used in forensics since it requires less DNA and is cheaper and less time-consuming?
What technology has been used in forensics since it requires less DNA and is cheaper and less time-consuming?
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What does PCR amplification involve in forensics?
What does PCR amplification involve in forensics?
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What are pipettes used for in laboratories?
What are pipettes used for in laboratories?
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What type of pipette is used for approximate measurements in laboratories?
What type of pipette is used for approximate measurements in laboratories?
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What technology is equipped with piston displacement and used for smaller volume reactions in molecular and microbial biology experiments?
What technology is equipped with piston displacement and used for smaller volume reactions in molecular and microbial biology experiments?
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What type of pipette offers additional capabilities for preparing multiple samples and working with specific solutions?
What type of pipette offers additional capabilities for preparing multiple samples and working with specific solutions?
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What is the purpose of robotic pipettes in laboratories?
What is the purpose of robotic pipettes in laboratories?
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What innovation in pipette design has led to adjustable piston heights for measuring a range of volumes?
What innovation in pipette design has led to adjustable piston heights for measuring a range of volumes?
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What are the major steps of pipetting?
What are the major steps of pipetting?
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How is a vacuum created for aspirating during pipetting?
How is a vacuum created for aspirating during pipetting?
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What is the purpose of using the first 'soft' stop when aspirating?
What is the purpose of using the first 'soft' stop when aspirating?
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What should be done before releasing the plunger during dispensing?
What should be done before releasing the plunger during dispensing?
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What do the 'golden rules' of pipetting emphasize?
What do the 'golden rules' of pipetting emphasize?
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How is accuracy defined in the context of multiple pipette measurements?
How is accuracy defined in the context of multiple pipette measurements?
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What does precision refer to in pipetting?
What does precision refer to in pipetting?
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What is the role of robotic pipettes in laboratories?
What is the role of robotic pipettes in laboratories?
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What is the purpose of the 'golden rules' of pipetting?
What is the purpose of the 'golden rules' of pipetting?
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What does accuracy describe in the context of measurements?
What does accuracy describe in the context of measurements?
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What is the main purpose of precision in measurements?
What is the main purpose of precision in measurements?
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What is the responsibility of the gel matrix during electrophoresis?
What is the responsibility of the gel matrix during electrophoresis?
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Study Notes
Nucleic Acid Electrophoresis: Factors Affecting Migration
- Nucleic acid samples are prepared by removing enzymes that may affect molecule separation
- DNA fragments of different lengths are visualized using a fluorescent dye specific for DNA
- Gel electrophoresis separates nucleic acid molecules by size and is commonly used for DNA analysis
- Agarose and polyacrylamide gels are commonly used for DNA electrophoresis
- Capillary electrophoresis is important for high-throughput DNA sequencing
- Factors affecting nucleic acid migration include gel pore size, voltage, buffer ionic strength, and intercalating dye concentration
- Gel electrophoresis separates DNA based on molecule size, with smaller molecules moving faster
- Supercoiled DNA moves faster than relaxed DNA due to its compact conformation
- Ethidium bromide concentration affects the migration of circular DNA in gel electrophoresis
- Gel concentration affects DNA migration, with higher concentrations improving resolution for smaller DNA fragments
- The limit of resolution in gel electrophoresis depends on gel composition and field strength
- Circular DNA can be resolved by changing the agarose gel concentration
Forensic DNA Fingerprinting and Pipettes
- In 1990, the FBI established the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) for comparing crime scene DNA to convicted offender profiles
- Forensic DNA fingerprinting involves collecting blood or tissue samples, treating them with a buffer solution, and analyzing the DNA
- Initially, the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used, which required large amounts of DNA and took several days to complete
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has since been used in forensics, requiring less DNA and being cheaper and less time-consuming
- PCR amplification involves Taq DNA polymerase, primers, and the target DNA region, and is performed in a thermal cycler
- PCR is used to analyze highly variable DNA regions, such as variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and short tandem repeats (STR)
- Pipettes are used in laboratories to measure and manipulate liquids
- Pasteur pipettes are used for approximate measurements, while graduated pipettes are designed for higher volumes
- Micropipettes, equipped with piston displacement technology, are used for smaller volume reactions in molecular and microbial biology experiments
- Some pipettes, like multichannel and positive displacement pipettes, offer additional capabilities for preparing multiple samples and working with specific solutions
- Robotic pipettes also exist for automated liquid handling in laboratories
- Innovations in pipette design have led to adjustable piston heights for measuring a range of volumes and disposable pistons for specific applications.
How to Use Robotic Pipettes and Adjustable Micropipettes
- Robotic pipettes can aliquot a specified volume to multiple tubes or wells and some are equipped with artificial intelligence to carry out entire experiments.
- The major steps of pipetting are: prepare, aspirate, dispense, re-aspirate and re-dispense, and purge.
- To aspirate, create a vacuum by pushing the plunger down, and make sure to use the first "soft" stop to match the set volume for accurate measurement.
- For dispensing, place the tip and push the plunger down to increase pressure, and remember to lift the tip out of the solution before releasing the plunger.
- Most biotechnology experiments involve preparing reactions by going through these steps multiple times for multiple reagents.
- There are seven "golden rules" of pipetting, including using the correct pipette and tip for the volume, avoiding contamination, and practicing good ergonomics.
- Accuracy describes how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision describes the reproducibility of the measurement.
- In the case of multiple pipette measurements, accuracy would refer to the average being close to the intended amount, and precision would refer to all values being close together.
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Description
Test your knowledge of nucleic acid electrophoresis with this quiz. Explore the factors that affect migration of DNA fragments, the types of gels used, and the techniques for visualizing molecules of different sizes.