Question

Please provide the theory (what is the function /capability of that type of gel and explain the basis for its ability to function in that capacity) for the three types of gel electrophoresis:

1. Agarose gels

2. Acrylamide (non-denaturing or native) gels

3. SDS-PAGE (denaturing) gels

Answer 1

In the process of gel electrophoresis macromolecules are separated using some gels and after this the analysis is also done. This is done based upon the size and charge of the macromolecules.

1. agarose gel electrophoresis- The biomolecules like proteins move in the media according to its charge and size. Nucleic acids move according to the size and lengths. So on these basis they are separated from the matrix.

2. Acrylamide gels- acrylamides are converted to the polyacrylamide first due to which the pore sizes are reduced. In this too, macromolecules are separated based upon the size and charges.

In both of these the macromolecules of different size and charge move different distances, so they get separated.

3. SDA-PAGE gel - SDS stands for sodium dodecyl sulphate and PAGE stands for the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SDS identifies the proteins. Proteins are separated based upon the polypeptide chain length.

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