Answer the following questions from the diagram given below:-
The figure is showing the technique of gel electrophoresis. The matrix used in this technique is made out of:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Agarose
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. Nowadays the most commonly used matrix is agarose which is a natural polymer extracted from sea weeds. The DNA fragments separate (resolve) according to their size through sieving effect provided by the agarose gel.