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Gel electrophoresis is used for:
A
construction of recombinant DNA by joining with cloning vectors
B
isolation of DNA molecule
C
cutting of DNA into fragments
D
separation of DNA fragments according to their size
Detailed Solution
Cutting of DNA by restriction endonucleases results in fragments of DNA, which are separated by a technique known as gel electrophoresis.
DNA fragments are negatively charged molecules, so they move towards the anode under an electric field through a medium or matrix.
The most commonly used matrix is agarose, a natural polymer extracted from sea weeds.
The DNA fragments separate (resolve) according to their size through the sieving effect provided by the agarose gel: the smaller the fragment, the farther it moves.
The separated bands are seen as bright orange bands after staining with ethidium bromide and exposure to UV radiation.
Cutting of DNA is done by restriction enzymes and joining by DNA ligase, not by electrophoresis.
So gel electrophoresis is used for the separation of DNA fragments according to their size.
DNA fragments are negatively charged molecules, so they move towards the anode under an electric field through a medium or matrix.
The most commonly used matrix is agarose, a natural polymer extracted from sea weeds.
The DNA fragments separate (resolve) according to their size through the sieving effect provided by the agarose gel: the smaller the fragment, the farther it moves.
The separated bands are seen as bright orange bands after staining with ethidium bromide and exposure to UV radiation.
Cutting of DNA is done by restriction enzymes and joining by DNA ligase, not by electrophoresis.
So gel electrophoresis is used for the separation of DNA fragments according to their size.