EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate DNA fragments according to their size. DNA samples are loaded into wells (indentations) at one end of a gel, and an electric current is applied to pull them through the gel. DNA fragments are negatively charged, so they move towards the positive electrode.

Detailed explanation-2: -To separate DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA is loaded into pre-cast wells in the gel and a current applied. The phosphate backbone of the DNA (and RNA) molecule is negatively charged, therefore when placed in an electric field, DNA fragments will migrate to the positively charged anode.

Detailed explanation-3: -Size Separation Typically, gels made from polyacrylamide are used to separate proteins on the basis their different sizes. Usually, the proteins are first treated with heat and a chemical called SDS in order to unravel the protein.

Detailed explanation-4: -Gel electrophoresis is most commonly used for separation and purification of proteins and nucleic acids that differ in size, charge, or conformation. The gel is composed of polyacrylamide or agarose. Agarose is appropriate for separating DNA fragments ranging in size from a few hundred base pairs to about 20 kb.

Detailed explanation-5: -The separated DNA fragments can be visualised only after staining the DNA with a compound known as ethidium bromide followed by exposure to UV radiation as we cannot see pure DNA fragments in the visible light and without staining.