Final answer:
A gel rig for running gel electrophoresis is set up with a gel tank, buffer solution, gel, samples, and a power supply. It is important to see distinct bands/spots of separated molecules and confirm their sizes and visibility under UV light to know if the gel rig is working correctly.
Step-by-step explanation:
A gel rig is set up for running gel electrophoresis, a technique used to separate and analyze DNA or proteins. The setup typically includes a gel tank, buffer solution, gel, DNA or protein samples, and an electrical power supply. The gel is prepared by mixing agarose or polyacrylamide with the appropriate buffer solution, while the DNA or protein samples are loaded into wells in the gel. The gel rig is then connected to the power supply, and an electric current is applied to move the molecules through the gel. The movement of the molecules can be visualized using a stain and UV light.
To know if the gel rig is working correctly, there are a few indicators to look out for. First, after running the gel for a sufficient amount of time, you should see distinct bands or spots of DNA or protein separated along the gel. This indicates that the molecules have migrated through the gel. Additionally, the size of these bands or spots should correspond to the expected sizes of the DNA or protein samples. Finally, if the gel is stained and exposed to UV light, the bands or spots should be visible and clearly distinguishable from the background. These observations confirm that the gel rig is functioning properly.