Unit 8 Gel Electrophoresis

Front

What is gel electrophoresis?

Back

A laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size and charge.

Front

What is the primary purpose of gel electrophoresis?

Back

To separate DNA based on size.

Front

What role do restriction enzymes play in gel electrophoresis?

Back

They cut DNA strands into various lengths for testing.

Front

What is the charge of DNA molecules?

Back

DNA molecules are negatively charged due to their phosphate backbone.

Front

How does gel electrophoresis separate DNA fragments?

Back

By applying an electric field, DNA fragments move through a gel matrix, with smaller fragments moving faster than larger ones.

Front

What is the gel made of in gel electrophoresis?

Back

Typically agarose or polyacrylamide.

Front

What is the significance of the buffer solution in gel electrophoresis?

Back

It maintains the pH and provides ions that conduct electricity during the electrophoresis process.

Front

What is a DNA ladder in gel electrophoresis?

Back

A mixture of known DNA fragments used as a reference to determine the size of unknown DNA samples.

Front

What is the purpose of staining in gel electrophoresis?

Back

To visualize the separated DNA fragments after electrophoresis.

Front

What is the difference between agarose gel and polyacrylamide gel?

Back

Agarose gel is used for larger DNA fragments, while polyacrylamide gel is used for smaller fragments and proteins.