Name_________________________
Date_________ Period______ Group________
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/
1. Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments according to what property?
2. Where do the DNA samples go?
3. What makes the DNA samples move across the gel?
4. How does the size of the DNA molecule fragments relate to the speed at which they travel through the gel? (Do smaller or larger fragments travel faster?)
5. DNA molecule fragments are invisible to the naked eye as they travel through the gel. What might happen if no dye were added to the DNA and the electricity were left on too long?
6. What does a “band” on the gel represent?
7. What is agarose made from?
8. How do we mix the agarose with the buffer?
9. We will be using plastic “gates” on the ends of our gel trays to prevent the agarose from overflowing. What does the animation suggest using instead?
10. What is placed in the gel to create tiny holes or “wells” for the DNA?
11. What two things go into the electrophoresis box or “chamber”?
Name_________________________
Date_________ Period______ Group________
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/
1. Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments according to what property?
2. Where do the DNA samples go?
3. What makes the DNA samples move across the gel?
4. How does the size of the DNA molecule fragments relate to the speed at which they travel through the gel? (Do smaller or larger fragments travel faster?)
5. DNA molecule fragments are invisible to the naked eye as they travel through the gel. What might happen if no dye were added to the DNA and the electricity were left on too long?
6. What does a “band” on the gel represent?
7. What is agarose made from?
8. How do we mix the agarose with the buffer?
9. We will be using plastic “gates” on the ends of our gel trays to prevent the agarose from overflowing. What does the animation suggest using instead?
10. What is placed in the gel to create tiny holes or “wells” for the DNA?
11. What two things go into the electrophoresis box or “chamber”?

12. What other things will you need in order to analyze the DNA?
13. What is placed on the end of the pipette before it is used?
14. Why do we mix loading buffer (“loading dye”) with the DNA? (2 reasons)
15. Where do you place the DNA sample/ loading buffer combination?
16. What does the DNA size standard contain?
17. When you turn on the power, what kind of charge will the end with the black cord generate? The red end?
18. Which end do you place the DNA closest to? Why?
19. Where does the black cord attach on the power supply? Where does the red cord attach?
20. How can you tell that a current is running through the electrophoresis chamber?
21. Which pieces of DNA move further down the gel in the same time frame, the shorter strands or the longer ones?
22. What do you need to do to the gel in order to see the DNA?
23. What would happen to the DNA fragments if the electrodes were reversed?
24. How many DNA fragment bands are in Lane 1 (the leftmost lane)? ________ How many DNA fragment bands are in Lane 2 (the rightmost lane)? ________
25. Do the DNA Sample and the DNA Size Standard contain any fragments of the same length? If so, what length?
12. What other things will you need in order to analyze the DNA?
13. What is placed on the end of the pipette before it is used?
14. Why do we mix loading buffer (“loading dye”) with the DNA? (2 reasons)
15. Where do you place the DNA sample/ loading buffer combination?
16. What does the DNA size standard contain?
17. When you turn on the power, what kind of charge will the end with the black cord generate? The red end?
18. Which end do you place the DNA closest to? Why?
19. Where does the black cord attach on the power supply? Where does the red cord attach?
20. How can you tell that a current is running through the electrophoresis chamber?
21. Which pieces of DNA move further down the gel in the same time frame, the shorter strands or the longer ones?
22. What do you need to do to the gel in order to see the DNA?
23. What would happen to the DNA fragments if the electrodes were reversed?
24. How many DNA fragment bands are in Lane 1 (the leftmost lane)? ________ How many DNA fragment bands are in Lane 2 (the rightmost lane)? ________
25. Do the DNA Sample and the DNA Size Standard contain any fragments of the same length? If so, what length?