Question

Explain the following: (i) Electrophoresis
(ii) Dialysis

Hint:

Electrophoresis is based on the movement of charged particles, whereas dialysis relies on size and diffusion.

Answer 1

(i) Electrophoresis:
Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate charged molecules (such as proteins, DNA, or RNA) by applying an electric field. The molecules are loaded into a gel matrix, and an electric current is passed through the gel. Charged particles migrate towards the electrode of opposite charge. The rate of migration depends on the size, shape, and charge of the molecule. Smaller molecules or those with a higher charge density move faster than larger or less charged ones. Electrophoresis is commonly used for DNA fingerprinting, protein analysis, and RNA separation.

(ii) Dialysis:
Dialysis is a process that separates small molecules or ions from larger molecules by passing them through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane allows small molecules to diffuse across it while larger molecules, such as proteins, are retained. Dialysis is used in medical treatments, such as kidney dialysis, to remove waste products from blood. In laboratory applications, it is used to remove salts or other small impurities from protein solutions.