Electrophoresis made simple

Question 1

electrophoresis

Answer 1

uses electric current to seperatre DNA fragments, RNA fragments, and proteins, depending on their size

Question 2

what are the 3 main stages of electrophoreis in a lab

Answer 2

• add a gel tray to the gel box
• DNA samples loaded in welss
• electrophoresis carries out

Question 3

add a gel tray to the gel box

Answer 3

• performed using agarose gel in gel tray that has left to solidify
• row of wells is created at one end
• place the end of the gel tray with the wells closes to the negative electrode on the gel box
• add a buffer solution ot the resivoirs at the sides of the gels box so that the surface of the gel becomes covered in the buffer soln

Question 4

DNA samples loaded into wells

Answer 4

• tkae fragment DNA, using a micropipette, add the same volume of loading dye to each
• add a set volume of DNA sample to the well
  
  • tip of the micropipette is in the buffer soln, just above the opening of the well, don’t stick in too far
• use clean one each tiem

Question 5

loading dye

Answer 5

helps samples sink to the bottom to make them easier to see

Question 6

electrophoresis carried out

Answer 6

• place lid on gel box
• conenct leads from power supply
• set to required voltage
• DNA is -vely charged, move towards anode
• small dNA fragments move faster and travel further through gel
• run till dye is 2cm from end of ge
• tip of excess buffer and remove gel tray
• rinse with water, bands will become visible

Question 7

proteins

Answer 7

• mixed with a chemical that denatures proteins so they all have same charge
• cna be positively or negatively charged