Multiple Choice Questions on Electrophoresis

1. The technique electrophoresis, for the separation of charged molecules was developed by  

a) Tswett

b) Svedberg

c) Tiselius

d) Sanger

2. In electrophoresis, DNA will migrate towards

a) cathode or positive electrode

b) anode or negative electrode

c) cathode or negative electrode

d) anode or positive electrode

3. The speed of migration of ions in an electric field depends on

a) magnitude of charge and mass of molecules

b) magnitude of charge and shape of molecules

c)  shape and size of the molecule

d) magnitude of charge, shape and mass of molecules

4. Which of the following statement is true regarding migration of bio molecules?

a) the rate of migration is directly proportional to the current

b) the rate of migration is inversely proportional to current

c) the rate of migration is directly proportional to the resistance of the medium

d) Low voltage is used for the separation of high molecular weight compounds

5. Electrophoresis cell or electrophoresis apparatus consists of

a) power pack and electrophoresis unit

b) Elctrophoresis unit and DNA separator

c) buffer chamber and Elctrophoresis unit

d) Gel, buffer chamber and power pack

6. The most common type of gel used for DNA separation is

a) Agar

b) Polyacrylamide

c) Agarose

d) All of the above

7. Which is the technique suited for the separation of large DNA fragments

a) AGE

b) PAGE

c) PFGE

d) SDS-PAGE

8. What is the role of SDS in SDS-PAGE?

a) protein denaturing and imparting net negative charge

b) imparting overall negative charge to the protein

c) imparting equal mass to all proteins

d)  protein unfolding and imparting net positive charge

9. In SDS-PAGE, separation is based on

a) molecular weight

b) shape

c) charge

d) all of the above

10. The electrophoresis technique that used isoelectric focusing is

a) AGE

b) PFGE

c) 2D-PAGE

d) SDS-PAGE

*AGE: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, PAGE: Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis, PFGE: Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis, SDS: sodium dodecyl sulphate

Learn more: 

• MCQ on Restriction Enzymes
• MCQ on Molecular Biology Techniques
• MCQ on DNA fingerprinting

Answers:

1. c) Tiselius  

2. d) anode or positive electrode

3. b) magnitude of charge and shape of molecules

4.  a) the rate of migration is directly proportional to current

5. a) power pack and electrophoresis unit

6. c) Agarose

7. c) PFGE

8. a) protein denaturing and imparting net negative charge

9. a) molecular weight

10. c) 2D-PAGE