What other samples can be run on an agarose gel aside from DNA?

What other samples can be run on an agarose gel aside from DNA?

• A. Only DNA samples
• B. RNA samples
• C. Both RNA samples and large proteins
• D. Only small peptides

Answer: (C)

The correct answer acknowledges that RNA samples and large proteins can both be run on an agarose gel. Agarose gel electrophoresis is a versatile technique primarily known for separating nucleic acids, like DNA and RNA, based on their size. In the case of RNA, agarose gel electrophoresis is essential for analyzing RNA molecules, such as mRNA, and checking their integrity. The gel's porous matrix allows RNA strands to migrate based on their length when an electric field is applied, thus enabling researchers to visualize and separate RNA based on size. Additionally, larger proteins can also be separated using agarose gel. Although polyacrylamide gels are typically favored for smaller proteins due to better resolution, agarose can accommodate larger molecules, making it suitable for separating larger proteins in certain contexts. This flexibility is one of the strengths of agarose gel electrophoresis, allowing for the analysis of a wider variety of biological molecules beyond just DNA.

The correct answer acknowledges that RNA samples and large proteins can both be run on an agarose gel. Agarose gel electrophoresis is a versatile technique primarily known for separating nucleic acids, like DNA and RNA, based on their size.

In the case of RNA, agarose gel electrophoresis is essential for analyzing RNA molecules, such as mRNA, and checking their integrity. The gel's porous matrix allows RNA strands to migrate based on their length when an electric field is applied, thus enabling researchers to visualize and separate RNA based on size.

Additionally, larger proteins can also be separated using agarose gel. Although polyacrylamide gels are typically favored for smaller proteins due to better resolution, agarose can accommodate larger molecules, making it suitable for separating larger proteins in certain contexts.

This flexibility is one of the strengths of agarose gel electrophoresis, allowing for the analysis of a wider variety of biological molecules beyond just DNA.