ANSWERS: 1
  • Electrophoresis is a separation technique used in biochemical and molecular biology laboratories. It takes advantage of a molecule's charge distribution. The technique is very accurate and inexpensive.

    Definition

    Electrophoresis is the motion of charged particles through a uniform mixture under the influence of an electric field.

    Significance

    Electrophoresis can separate a mixture of proteins by size, grouping together proteins of similar weights. This establishes the number of distinct proteins within a sample.

    Features

    The uniform medium used in electrophoresis is a gel containing various pore sizes. Electrodes are placed at both ends of the gel. One end is the negative end, and the other is the positive end. A current is applied to the gel.

    Function

    A sample of unknown proteins is added to the negative end of the gel. They will migrate through the gel mixture when the electric current is applied. Large proteins will migrate quickly because they are too large to fit inside the pores of the gel. Smaller proteins travel into the pores of the gel and thus require a longer time to migrate to the other end of the gel. The result are separate bands of proteins, of differing molecular weights, at the positive end.

    Consideration

    In order for electrophoresis to work, proteins in the sample must have the same net negative charge and the same shape. This allows large and small proteins to travel at the same speed through the medium when the electric current is applied. Only the protein's path through the gel pores determine the separation. To achieve this, a denaturing solution called SDS is applied to the proteins before the sample is run through the electrophoresis apparatus.

    Source:

    Gustavus Adolphus College: Chapter 4: Electrophoresis - Introduction

    Davidson College: SDS-PAGE

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