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Separating Organic Compounds
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Gel Electrophoresis Simulator
The Future of Molecular Bio.
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Biology Laboratory Manual, 6/e
Darrell S. Vodopich, Baylor University
Randy Moore, University of Minnesota--Minneapolis


Exercise 6-Separating Organic Compounds

Complete the essay questions below and provide your answers as required by your instructor.



1

Biological systems are based on thousands upon thousands of different kinds of molecules, some of which are quite similar in size, charge, and other physical characteristics. These are the most difficult molecules for a technique such as electrophoresis to distinguish or resolve. What characteristics of gel electrophoresis and its apparatus would be most critical to resolve similar molecules? Why?
2

All methods of separation of molecules exploit the physical and chemical characteristics of the molecules being separated. Compare and contrast the different molecular characteristics that each of the three methods presented in this exercise exploit to separate molecules.