A: During gel electrophoresis, the DNA fragments move towards the anode.
R: DNA fragments are negatively charged molecules .

Options

A. If both Assertion & Reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion
B. If both Assertion & Reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion
C. If Assertion is true statement but Reason is false
D. If both Assertion and Reason are false statements

Answer

To solve the question, we need to evaluate both the assertion and the reason provided:

**Assertion (A):** During gel electrophoresis, the DNA fragments move towards the anode.
**Reason (R):** DNA fragments are negatively charged molecules.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Gel Electrophoresis:**
- Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and charge. The gel used is typically made from agarose, which is derived from seaweed and creates a porous medium.

2. **Charge of DNA:**
- DNA molecules are negatively charged due to the phosphate groups in their backbone. This negative charge is crucial for their movement during electrophoresis.

3. **Movement Towards Anode:**
- In an electric field, negatively charged molecules (like DNA) will migrate towards the positively charged electrode, known as the anode. This movement occurs when a potential difference is applied across the gel.

4. **Separation Based on Size:**
- As DNA fragments move through the gel, smaller fragments can navigate through the pores more easily than larger fragments. Therefore, smaller DNA fragments will travel further towards the anode compared to larger ones.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Since the assertion states that DNA fragments move towards the anode, and the reason explains that this is because DNA is negatively charged, both statements are true. Furthermore, the reason correctly explains the assertion.

### Final Answer:
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

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