Gel Ele Procedures

Question 1

General description of the five steps

Answer 1

1. Preparation of agarose gel with wells for loading of DNA sample
2. Setting up gel for electrophoresis
3. Loading of DNA sample into wells
4. Application of electric current
5. Staining agarose gel to view

Question 2

Functions of loading buffer

Answer 2

1. Tracking dye for visual monitoring of DNA
2. Bromophenol blue; migrating through gel at ~same date as ds DNA
3. Contains glycerol; dense liquid helps DNA sample to fall into sample well

Question 3

Give the details of loading of DNA samples into well

Answer 3

DNA samples is mixed with glycerol and tracking dye for loading;

Glycerol binds to DNA increases its density;

Tracking dye for monitoring the progress of electrophoresis;

DNA molecular weight marker is loaded into one of the well

Question 4

Describe staining of agarose gel to view the separated DNA bands

Answer 4

Staining w a DNA binding dye;

Formation of discrete band;

Each band represents a DNA fragment of an estimated size