Gel Elctrophoresis

Question 1

Gel electro

Is gel electrophoresis used mainly for analyzing DNA?

Answer 1

No also for separating other types of molecules, like protein

Question 2

Gel electro

What is the purpose of the electric current across the gel surface?

Answer 2

To make the DNA move, pushes DNA through filter, negative charge on phosphate repels the DNA

Question 3

Gel electro

Why is buffer necessary when preparing the gel?

Answer 3

Let’s the electric charges flow through the gel, is salt water

Question 4

Gel electro

What is the purpose of leading buffer?

Answer 4

Makes the DNA sample visible and thickens the sample

Question 5

Gel electro
Why does DNA have a negative charge? Why would the negative terminal be found near the DNA wells and the positive terminal at the opposite end of the gel?

Answer 5

The phosphate group on the nucleotides

Question 6

Gel electro

Why is ethidium bromide used to treat resultant gel?

Answer 6

It binds to DNA and stains it so visible under fluorescent lighting

Question 7

Gel electro

If you have a sample of several DNA segments, what info does gel electro give you about each segment?

Answer 7

Sorts the DNA according to length