During electrophoresis, DNA molecules can easily be separated according to size because all DNA molecules have the same charge-mass ratio and the same shape (long rod). Would you expect RNA molecules to behave in the same manner as DNA during electrophoresis? Why or why not? Klug, William S ... Essentials of Genetics (p. 181). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

Question

Angie Pearson

Biology

4 July, 11:08

During electrophoresis, DNA molecules can easily be separated according to size because all DNA molecules have the same charge-mass ratio and the same shape (long rod). Would you expect RNA molecules to behave in the same manner as DNA during electrophoresis? Why or why not? Klug, William S ... Essentials of Genetics (p. 181). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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Jaycee Chang · Answer 1

To separate DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA is loaded into pre-cast wells in the gel and a current applied.

Explanation:

The phosphate backbone of the DNA (and RNA) molecule is negatively charged, therefore when placed in an electric field, DNA fragments will migrate to the positively charged anode.