Gel Electrophoresis Quiz

What is the primary purpose of gel electrophoresis?

• To create electrical currents

• To separate molecules based on certain properties

• To measure the temperature of solutions

• To synthesize new molecules

Which factor does NOT affect the movement of molecules in gel electrophoresis?

• Charge

• Molecular weight

• Diameter

• Color

What is the first step in performing gel electrophoresis in a lab?

• Applying an electrical current

• Preparing the gel

• Introducing the molecules

• Visualizing the bands

In agarose gel electrophoresis, what is the main component of the gel?

• Agarose

• Formaldehyde

• Sodium chloride

• Acrylamide

Why is ethidium bromide used in agarose gel electrophoresis?

• To solidify the gel

• To separate proteins

• To increase the speed of molecule migration

• To stain the gel for visualization under UV light

What does the width of a band in an electrophoretogram indicate?

• The speed of the molecule

• The approximate amount of the molecule

• The charge of the molecule

• The temperature of the gel

Why is formaldehyde used when separating RNA molecules?

• To break self-loops in RNA structures

• To enhance the color of the bands

• To increase the gel's porosity

• To stabilize the gel

What is the main difference in the setup of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis compared to agarose gel electrophoresis?

• It is performed at a higher temperature

• It does not require an electrical current

• It uses a vertical setup

• It uses a horizontal setup

What role does SDS play in SDS-PAGE?

• It stabilizes the secondary structure of proteins

• It binds to hydrophobic amino acids, giving proteins a negative charge

• It gives proteins a positive charge

• It binds to hydrophilic amino acids

What is the purpose of mercaptoethanol in SDS-PAGE?

• To stabilize the gel

• To increase the gel's porosity

• To enhance the color of the bands

• To destroy disulfide bonds in proteins