Gel Electrophoresis: Separating Molecules with Agarose Gel

What is the name of the gel used in gel electrophoresis?

A. Apothecary gel

B. Jell-o

C. Hair gel

D. Agarose gel

Answer:

The correct option is D. Agarose gel.

Are you curious about the fascinating world of gel electrophoresis? Well, let's dive into the details!

Agarose gel is a key component in gel electrophoresis, a powerful technique used in molecular biology to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size and charge. The gel matrix created by agarose, a polysaccharide derived from seaweed, allows the molecules to travel through it at different speeds, resulting in their separation.

During gel electrophoresis, a mixture of molecules is loaded into wells on the agarose gel. When an electric current is applied, the molecules move towards the positive electrode, with smaller molecules traveling further and faster than larger ones due to the gel matrix's porosity.

Once the electrophoresis is complete, the gel can be stained to visualize the separated molecules. For example, DNA can be stained with a fluorescent dye, making it visible under ultraviolet light.

In conclusion, agarose gel plays a crucial role in gel electrophoresis by providing a medium for the separation and analysis of biomolecules based on their size and charge. It's truly a marvel of molecular biology!