Read the passage and answer the following question :

The cutting of DNA by restriction endonucleases results in the fragments of DNA. These fragments can be separated by a technique known as gel electrophoresis. Since DNA fragments are negatively charged molecules, they can be separated by forcing them to move towards the anode under an electric field through a medium/matrix. The commonly used matrix is agarose which is a natural polymer extracted from sea weeds. The DNA fragments separate according to their size through sieving effect provided by the agarose gel. Hence, the smaller fragments move farther in the agarose gel. The separated DNA fragments can be visualised only after staining the DNA with ethidium bromide followed by exposure to UV radiation. Bright orange coloured bands of DNA can be observed. The separated bands of DNA are cut out from the agarose gel and extracted from the gel piece. This step is known as elution. The DNA fragments purified in this way are used in constructing recombinant DNA by joining them with cloning vectors.

The fragments of DNA separate on agarose gel, based on the____________.

Size of fragments

The correct answer is Option (1) -Size of fragments

The process of cutting DNA using restriction endonucleases results in the formation of DNA fragments. These fragments can be separated using a technique called gel electrophoresis.

Since DNA fragments are negatively charged molecules, they can be separated by applying an electric field, causing them to move towards the anode through a medium or matrix. Agarose, a natural polymer extracted from seaweeds, is commonly used as the matrix. The DNA fragments separate based on their size due to the sieving effect provided by the agarose gel. Smaller fragments move farther compared to larger fragments.