Chapter 9

Question 1

What is electrophoresis and what types of molecules can migrate in response to an electrical field?

Answer 1

Electrophoresis is a method where charged molecules, primarily proteins and nucleic acids, migrate in response to an electrical field

Question 2

What factors affect the rate of migration and electrophoretic separation?

Answer 2

• Mass and shape of the molecules
• Net charge
• Buffer viscosity
• Porosity of the matrix
• Voltage/current

Question 3

What are some of the instrumentation used in electrophoresis?

Answer 3

• Power supply
• Electrophoresis chamber with buffer reservoir
• Electrodes in buffer reservoir,
• Gels formed in tubes, slabs, or on a flat bed

Question 4

Why is it important to consider factors like voltage/current and gel concentration in electrophoresis?

Answer 4

Voltage/current affects the speed of DNA migration, but it is important not to exceed recommended values to avoid excessive heat generation. Gel concentration also affects the migration speed, with lower gel concentrations allowing faster migration