Topic 15.4: Agarose gel electrophoresis

Question 1

how does it work

Answer 1

DNA negatively charge so move toward anode if placed in electrical field
DNA fragments separated based on size

Question 2

what is required

Answer 2

agarose gel - allows separation
buffer - allows charge across gel
power supply - electrical field
stain - identify

Question 3

what are the steps

Answer 3

1. samples placed in wells ( in a standard set of markers to estimate size of unknown fragments)
2. samples move to positive electrode
3. small fragments = faster, larger = slower

Question 4

how is it identified

Answer 4

stained with ethidium bromide