Having become an expert on gel electrophoresis, you are asked to examine a gel. Where would you find the smallest segments of DNA?
(a) Near the positive electrode, farthest away from the wells
(b) Near the negative electrode, close to the wells
(c) Near the negative electrode, farther away from the wells
(d) Near the middly, they tend to slow down after the first few minutes

Options

A. Near the positive electrode, farthest away from the wells
B. Near the negative electrode, close to the wells
C. Near the negative electrode, farther away from the wells
D. Near the middly, they tend to slow down after the first few minutes

Answer

A

Explanation

Since DNA is itself negatively charged, it would move towards the positive electrode. In gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments are separated on the basis of charge and masses. Thus, smaller the DNA fragment farther it moves from the well.