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Questions and Answers
- Gel electrophoresis is used to separate large molecules like ______ fragments.
DNA
- The apparatus is equipped with electrodes at each end, with the cathode at the end where the wells sit and the ______ at the other end.
anode
- DNA molecules are negatively charged due to the ______ groups on their backbone.
phosphate
- The gel acts as a sieve, with larger DNA molecules having more difficulty navigating through the pores than ______ DNA molecules.
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- The distance a DNA molecule travels through the gel is inversely proportional to its ______, allowing for quantification and plotting of the number of base pairs.
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- After separation, a DNA-binding dye is added to the system, which fluoresces ______ under UV light.
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- The separated DNA molecules appear as ______ bands on the gel, with shorter DNA molecules traveling farther from the well.
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Study Notes
The Technique of Gel Electrophoresis in Molecular Biology
- Gel electrophoresis is a lab technique used to separate large molecules like DNA fragments.
- The technique involves a slab of polyacrylamide or agarose gel submerged in an aqueous buffer solution.
- Samples of DNA mixtures of varying lengths are loaded into wells at one end of the gel.
- The apparatus is equipped with electrodes at each end, with the cathode at the end where the wells sit and the anode at the other end.
- DNA molecules are negatively charged due to the phosphate groups on their backbone.
- The negatively charged cathode repels the DNA molecules, causing them to travel along the gel towards the positively charged anode.
- The gel acts as a sieve, with larger DNA molecules having more difficulty navigating through the pores than smaller DNA molecules.
- The distance a DNA molecule travels through the gel is inversely proportional to its size, allowing for quantification and plotting of the number of base pairs.
- After separation, a DNA-binding dye is added to the system, which fluoresces pink under UV light.
- The separated DNA molecules appear as thin bands on the gel, with shorter DNA molecules traveling farther from the well.
- Gel electrophoresis can be used to analyze plasmids, assess gene amplification, isolate specific DNA molecules, and separate mixtures of proteins.
- The simplicity and utility of gel electrophoresis make it an essential technique in molecular biology labs.
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Description
How much do you know about gel electrophoresis? Test your knowledge with this quiz and learn about the principles, applications, and techniques involved in separating DNA molecules using polyacrylamide or agarose gels. From loading samples into wells to quantifying base pairs and analyzing plasmids, this quiz covers the basics of gel electrophoresis and its importance in molecular biology. Take the quiz now and see how well you understand this essential lab technique!
