answersLogoWhite

0

Good question! The basic idea is to cause particles of varying sizes to move through a gel made up of some physical 'mesh'. Common biological gels are made of Agarose proteins (for separating nucleic acids) or Acrylamide/bisAcrylamide 'mesh' for separating proteins. Smaller molecules can move through the network faster, and so will move farther in a particular time period (minute, half-hour, hour, whatever). So, if you run a gel for 30 minutes or so, you will have a distribution of sizes, with the smallest pieces out in front, and the larger ones progressively further behind. Often you will have these molecules moving in 'bands', which are clumps of lots of a molecule which are the same size. Usually, you get the proteins or nucleic acids to move by running a current across the gel, as these molecules have a slight electrical charge. If you also run a set of comparable molecules of known sizes (usually called a 'size standard') then you have something to compare your results to so you can tell what size a particular band is. You can have a 'separating gel' game yourself, if you want: set up an obstacle course (with tunnels and other barriers of various kinds), get about 30-50 people, with kids of all ages and adults of all ages, and have them all start at the same time. Then, when the first person gets about 2/3 of the way through, blow a whistle and have them all stop where they are. Then see how they're arranged - take a photo so you can have a visual record of your experiment!

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

How does varyfing the concentration of agarose used in gel affect the ability of the gell to separate molecule?

Varying the concentration of agarose in a gel affects the size of the pores within the gel matrix. Higher agarose concentrations create smaller pores, which are better for separating smaller molecules like DNA fragments. Lower agarose concentrations create larger pores, which are better for separating larger molecules.


Why might a gel weep?

A gel might weep if it contains excess liquid that is separating out due to temperature changes or improper formulation. Weeping can also occur if the gel has been heated too much, causing the structure to break down and release moisture.


What was used before gel electrophoresis?

Before gel electrophoresis, techniques like paper electrophoresis and agarose slab gel electrophoresis were used for separating and analyzing DNA or proteins. These methods were less efficient and had lower resolution compared to gel electrophoresis.


Why stacking gel used in electrophoresis?

Stacking gel is used in electrophoresis to concentrate and focus the sample of DNA, RNA, or protein at the top of the separating gel before the separation step begins. This allows for better resolution and separation of the molecules as they move through the gel, resulting in clearer and more accurate results.


What is a difference between 2 percent and 3 percent agarose gel?

The main difference between a 2% and a 3% agarose gel is the concentration of agarose in the gel. A 3% agarose gel will have a higher agarose concentration, resulting in a higher resolving power for separating larger DNA fragments compared to a 2% agarose gel. However, a higher percentage agarose gel may also have a tighter mesh size, making it harder for larger DNA fragments to migrate through the gel.

Related Questions

What is the function of the gel?

Separating gel allows the separation of protein molecules according to their molecular weight by sieving effect of pores in the gel(percentage). The pH of separating or resolving gel is 8.8, whereas stacking gel (upper gel that squeezes protein as a thin layer) made of pH6.8.


What materials do you need to do a gel electrophoresis?

depends on what your separating??


What are the name of separating techniques involving electric charge on molecules?

Gel electrophoresis.


What is the purpose of the gel in the serum separating tube?

The gel in a serum separating tube acts as a barrier between the serum and the blood cells after centrifugation. It helps to separate the serum from the blood cells, making it easier to collect a clean sample for further analysis.


Why does DNA move through the gel during gel electrophoresis?

During gel electrophoresis, DNA moves through the gel because it is negatively charged and is attracted to the positive electrode. The DNA molecules are pulled through the gel by an electric field, separating them based on size.


What is laboratory gel called?

The gel used in laboratories is typically called agarose gel or polyacrylamide gel, depending on the materials used to create it. These gels are commonly used for separating and analyzing DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size and charge.


How does varyfing the concentration of agarose used in gel affect the ability of the gell to separate molecule?

Varying the concentration of agarose in a gel affects the size of the pores within the gel matrix. Higher agarose concentrations create smaller pores, which are better for separating smaller molecules like DNA fragments. Lower agarose concentrations create larger pores, which are better for separating larger molecules.


What is the principle used in separation of mixtures?

separating an insoluble solid from a liquid: decantation, filtration separating a dissolved solid (solute) from a solution: evaporation, crystallization separating the solute and solvent from a solution: simple distillation separating a mixture of two miscible liquids: fractional distillation


Why might a gel weep?

A gel might weep if it contains excess liquid that is separating out due to temperature changes or improper formulation. Weeping can also occur if the gel has been heated too much, causing the structure to break down and release moisture.


What is the purpose of the gel inside of certain tubes?

For venous blood specimens, if it is test tubes used in blood collection that you are referring to, the gel is a serum separator. When the sample is centrifuged, the red cells will spin to the bottom, plasma to the top, gel separating the blood components.


Can gel electrophoresis be used to determine the purity of an enzyme?

Gel electrophoresis can be used to assess the purity of an enzyme by separating different proteins based on size. If the enzyme appears as a single band on the gel, it suggests high purity. Contaminants or impurities would result in additional bands on the gel.


How can you fix your dreadlocks to look good?

just do the front of your hair by separating each lock and using gel and claps do the ones in the front