Gel Electrophoresis Virtual Lab
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/
1. How do you sort DNA strands?
2. Can gel electrophoresis sort other types of molecules other than DNA?
3. The gel acts as a ______that sorts the DNA strands.
4. What makes the DNA move from one end of the gel to the other?
5. Which strands of DNA are farther away from the starting point of the DNA, the shorter or longer strands? Why?
6. What is done to the DNA strands to make them visible to the naked eye?
7. List the 5 steps used in performing a gel electrophoresis.
8. Does the DNA move towards the positive end or the negative end of the gel box?
9. What is the name of the chemical used to stain the gel?
10. What type of light is needed to see the DNA samples?
Answer Key
1. How do you sort DNA strands?
by length
2. Can gel electrophoresis sort other types of molecules other than DNA?
yes - proteins
3. The gel acts as a filter that sorts the DNA strands.
4. What makes the DNA move from one end of the gel to the other?
an electric current
5. Which strands of DNA are farther away from the starting point of the DNA, the shorter or longer strands? Why?
the shorter strands because they can move more quickly through the gell
6. What is done to the DNA strands to make them visible to the naked eye?
they are stained
7. List the 5 steps used in performing a gel electrophoresis.
make the gel
set up the gel apparatus
load the DNA sample into the gel
hook up the electrical current and run the gel
stain the gel and analyze the results
8. Does the DNA move towards the positive end or the negative end of the gel box?
positive end
9. What is the name of the chemical used to stain the gel?
ethidium bromide
10. What type of light is needed to see the DNA samples?
fluorescent