Gel Electrophoresis

What lab technique separates DNA molecules by size in order to analyze DNA?

• Gel Electrophoresis

• Fingerprinting

• Cloning

• DNA Extraction

Gel electrophoresis separates fragments of DNA by:

• Size/weight

• Genes

• Base pairs

• Electromagnetic charge

In a DNA fingerprint, lighter-weight fragments can be found at the:

• Top

• Bottom

• Middle

• Front

Which suspect left the blood stain?

• Bob

• Sue

• John

• Lisa

What is the purpose of gel electrophoresis in molecular biology?

• To increase the size of DNA fragments

• To separate DNA fragments based on their size

• To create DNA fragments

• To visualize proteins only

In gel electrophoresis, what is the purpose of the buffer solution?

• To stabilize the pH

• To denature the proteins

• To replicate DNA

• To act as a source of nutrients for DNA fragments

Answer explanation

The purpose of the buffer solution in gel electrophoresis is to stabilize the pH, ensuring that the electrical current flows evenly through the gel and DNA fragments separate properly.

The parents of a new baby believe they brought the wrong child home from the hospital. Gel electrophoresis was performed using DNA samples from the parents and the child. A section of the gel electrophoresis results is shown below. Which conclusion is valid based on the gel electrophoresis results?

• They have the correct child, because her genetic information is identical to that of the father.

  
  

• They have the wrong child, because her genetic information does not match that of either parent.

• They have the correct child, because her genetic information came from both parents.

  
  

• They have the wrong child, because her genetic information matches only that of the mother.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

The speed at which DNA moves through a gel is diretly related to its size.

• True

• False

In gel electrophoresis, the largest DNA fragment will appear

• closest to the starting wells

• farthest from the starting wells

• three quarters away from the starting wells

• it depends on how many fragments there are

In gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments are separated based on their:

• Shape

• Size

• Charge

• Both B and C

Answer explanation

In gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments are separated based on their size and charge, not their shape. Therefore, the correct answer is Both B and C.