Explain about electrophoresis.

Hello,

Electrophoresis is a general term that describes the migration and separation of charged particles (ions) under the influence of an electric field. An electrophoretic system consists of two electrodes of opposite charge (anode, cathode), connected by a conducting medium called an electrolyte. The separation effect on the ionic particles results from differences in their velocity ( v ), which is the product of the particle's mobility ( m ) and the field strength ( E ):

v = m.E

The mobility ( m ) of an ionic particle is determined by particle size, shape, and charge, and the temperature during the separation, and is constant under defined electrophoretic conditions.

Electrophoretic conditions are characterized by the electrical parameters (current, voltage, power), and factors such as Ionic, pH value, viscosity, pore size, etc., which describe the medium in which the particles are moving.

Best Wishes.

Hello Smit,

Electrophoresis happens to be an electrokinetic process used to separate charged particles in a fluid using a field of electrical charge. It is most often used in the field of life sciences to separate protein molecules or DNA. It can be achieved through several different procedures depending on the type and size of the molecules.

An electric field is applied to molecules. As they are electrically charged themselves it results in a force acting upon them. The greater the charge of the molecule, the greater is the force applied by the electrical field.

Some applications of electrophoresis include DNA and RNA analysis as well as protein electrophoresis,a medical procedure to analyse and separate the molecules found in a fluid sample.

Hope this helps you. We wish you the best for your future endeavours!

Regards