Nucleic Acid Separation Techniques Using Gel Electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis is a technique for separating nucleic acids using a gel matrix. The gel can be agarose or polyacrylamide, with the former run horizontally and the latter vertically. Samples are mixed with a loading dye and loaded into wells. An electric current causes nucleic acids, which are negatively charged, to migrate towards the positive end of the gel. Smaller fragments move faster, allowing separation based on size.

What is the primary purpose of gel electrophoresis?

• To destroy nucleic acids

• To separate nucleic acids

• To synthesize nucleic acids

• To replicate nucleic acids

Which factor determines the percentage composition of the gel in electrophoresis?

• The color of the gel

• The size of the nucleic acid

• The temperature of the environment

• The type of electric current used

How are polyacrylamide gels typically oriented during electrophoresis?

• Horizontally

• Vertically

• In a circular pattern

• Diagonally

What is the role of sample loading dye in gel electrophoresis?

• To change the color of the nucleic acids

• To aid in sample loading and track migration

• To increase the speed of nucleic acid migration

• To prevent nucleic acids from degrading

Why do nucleic acids move from the negative to the positive end of the gel?

• Because they are heavier than the gel matrix

• Because they have a net positive charge

• Because they are attracted to the negative end

• Because they have a net negative charge

Where are smaller nucleic acid fragments typically observed in the gel?

• Near the negative end

• In the middle of the gel

• Near the positive end

• Evenly distributed throughout the gel