Electrophoresis Quiz

What is the main purpose of gel electrophoresis?

• To increase the size of DNA fragments

• To observe the color of DNA fragments

• To separate DNA fragments based on size

• To duplicate DNA fragments

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragments? (NIC)

• The length of the DNA fragment

• The agarose concentration in the gel

• The color of the DNA stain

• The voltage applied during electrophoresis

In gel electrophoresis, what causes DNA fragments to move through the gel?

• Gravity

• Magnetic field

• Electric field

• Thermal energy

What is the role of the buffer solution in gel electrophoresis? (NIC)

• To make the DNA fragments visible

• To provide nutrients to the DNA fragments

• To maintain a stable pH

• To decrease the temperature of the gel

What is the principle behind the separation of DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis?

• Larger fragments move faster than smaller ones

• Smaller fragments move faster than larger ones

• All fragments move at the same speed

• Fragments do not move

How does the charge of DNA fragments affect their movement in gel electrophoresis?

• Positively charged fragments move towards the cathode (-)

• Negatively charged fragments move towards the anode (+)

• Positively charged fragments move towards the anode (+)

• DNA fragments are not charged

What is the purpose of using a ladder or marker in gel electrophoresis?

• To increase the voltage of the electric field

• To serve as a reference for estimating the size of DNA fragments

• To color the DNA fragments

• To stabilize the gel

In the context of electrophoresis, what does an electropherogram show?

• The pH of the gel

• The temperature of the gel

• The separation of DNA fragments

• The voltage applied to the gel

What effect does increasing the voltage have on the electrophoresis process? (NIC)

• Decreases the speed of DNA fragment migration

• Increases the speed of DNA fragment migration

• Stops the DNA fragments from moving

• Changes the direction of DNA fragment migration

How does the size of DNA fragments relate to their movement in an electric field during electrophoresis?

• There is no relationship between size and movement

• Larger fragments move to the anode faster than smaller fragments

• Smaller fragments move through the gel matrix more easily than larger fragments

• All fragments move at the same speed regardless of size