Question

How do we measure RNA quantity and purity requirements?

A. Spectrophotometry for quantity, agarose gel electrophoresis for purity
B. PCR for quantity, HPLC for purity
C. Mass spectrometry for quantity, ELISA for purity
D. None of the above

Answer 1

RNA quantity is measured using spectrophotometry due to RNA's absorption of UV light at 260 nm, while agarose gel electrophoresis is used to assess RNA purity by separating fragments based on size, allowing for the detection of impurities.

Step-by-step explanation:

To measure RNA quantity and purity, we typically use spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. The correct answer to the question is therefore A.

Spectrophotometry is used for quantifying RNA because nucleic acids, including RNA, absorb UV light at 260 nm. This characteristic allows researchers to determine RNA concentration using a spectrophotometer, which measures the amount of UV light absorbed by the sample.

For assessing purity of RNA, agarose gel electrophoresis is commonly used. This technique separates RNA fragments based on size, and the integrity of RNA can be evaluated based on the distinct bands formed on the gel. Furthermore, the presence of any DNA or protein contaminant can often be detected, as these will also appear as additional bands on the gel, indicating impurities.