Question

Activity Manual (AM): A protein molecule in an electrophoresis gel has a net negative charge. The exact charge depends on the pH of the solution, but 30 excess electrons is typical. When released from rest, does the charged protein molecule move parallel (same direction) to the electric field or opposite to the electric field?

Answer 1

Gel electrophoresis is used to separate macromolecules like DNA, RNA and proteins. DNA fragments are separated according to their size. Proteins can be separated according to their size and their charge (different proteins have different charges).