Final answer:
The A260/A280 ratio measures DNA sample purity. A high ratio suggests a pure sample, while a low ratio indicates contamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The A260/A280 ratio is calculated by dividing the absorbance at 260 nm by the absorbance at 280 nm. This ratio is commonly used to assess the purity of a DNA sample. A high A260/A280 ratio (around 1.8-2.0) indicates that the DNA sample is pure, while a lower ratio may indicate contamination with proteins or other impurities.
For example, if the A260/A280 ratio of your DNA sample is 1.6, it suggests that some protein contamination may be present in the sample. On the other hand, if the ratio is 2.2, it indicates a pure DNA sample.