Question

pre - lab questions/lab: gel electrophoresis 1. shorter strands of dna travel _, farther on the agarose gel than do larger strands. 2. what is the direction of the current under the application of an electric field? (choose one: positive to negative or negative to positive) 3. what is the purpose of the wells? 4. what would happen if di water is used instead of tae buffer? 5. what is the charge of the dna? 6. what colors form the grape kool - aid? (tip: use the information from the kool - aid label) 7. what color form the orange kool - aid? (tip: use the information from the kool - aid label)

Explanation:

:

1. Faster
2. Positive to negative
3. To hold the DNA samples.
4. DNA would not migrate properly as DI water lacks the necessary ions for conductivity and pH - buffering.
5. Negative
6. Typically, grape Kool - Aid contains red and blue colors.
7. Typically, orange Kool - Aid contains red and yellow colors.

1. Smaller DNA fragments move more quickly through the gel matrix.
2. Current flows from the positive electrode to the negative electrode in an electric field.
3. Wells are made in the gel to place the DNA samples before electrophoresis.
4. TAE buffer provides ions for conductivity and maintains pH for proper DNA migration.
5. DNA has a negative charge due to the phosphate groups in its backbone.

6 - 7. Kool - Aid colors are made by mixing primary food colorings.

Answer:

1. Smaller DNA fragments move more quickly through the gel matrix.
2. Current flows from the positive electrode to the negative electrode in an electric field.
3. Wells are made in the gel to place the DNA samples before electrophoresis.
4. TAE buffer provides ions for conductivity and maintains pH for proper DNA migration.
5. DNA has a negative charge due to the phosphate groups in its backbone.

6 - 7. Kool - Aid colors are made by mixing primary food colorings.