Separation Techniques

Question 1

Centrifuge

Answer 1

Is used to separate substances of differing density. More condense components settle in the pellet. Less dense components remain in the supernatant

Question 2

Chromatography

Answer 2

can be used to separate and identify amino acids, proteins and sugars

Question 3

Affinity chromatography

Answer 3

used to separate proteins. Solid matrix or gel is created with specific molecules bound to it. Soluble, target proteins in a mixture have a high affinity for these specific molecules, so will attach to them as the mixture passes down this column.

Question 4

Gel electrophoresis

Answer 4

a technique used to separate proteins and nucleic acids. An electric current is passed through a medium that contains the mixture of molecules. Each kind of molecule travels through the medium at a different rate depending on its electrical charge and molecular size.

Question 5

Native gels

Answer 5

Do not denature the proteins and so separate them by shape, size and charge.

Question 6

SDS-PAGE

Answer 6

Gives all molecules an equally negative charge and denatures them. Proteins are separated by size alone.

Question 7

Isoelectric point

Answer 7

The pH at which a soluble protein has no net charge and will precipitate out of a solution.