Question

Which lengths of DNA strands move faster down the gel electrophoresis medium?

A) Smaller
B) Larger

Answer 1

Smaller DNA strands move faster down the gel electrophoresis medium, while larger DNA strands move slower. option a.

Step-by-step explanation:

Smaller DNA strands move faster down the gel electrophoresis medium. This is because DNA has a negative charge and is drawn to the positive electrode. Smaller DNA molecules experience less friction as they travel through the gel, allowing them to move more quickly.

When comparing DNA strands of similar shape, the larger the molecular weight, the slower the DNA will move through the gel. This is observed in Fig. 5.2, where shorter DNA molecules migrate faster than longer DNA molecules.

Overall, the size and shape of DNA play a significant role in determining its migration speed in gel electrophoresis.