In gel electrophoresis, DNA moves toward which electrode?

In gel electrophoresis, DNA moves toward which electrode?

• A. Positive electrode.
• B. Negative electrode.
• C. Water gate electrode.
• D. Neutral plate.

Answer: (A)

DNA has a negative charge from its phosphate backbone, so when an electric field is applied in gel electrophoresis, it moves toward the positive electrode (the anode). The electric field pulls negatively charged DNA toward the positive end, while the gel matrix slows larger fragments more than smaller ones, creating size-based separation. Moving toward the negative electrode would push DNA away, and a neutral plate wouldn’t create the needed directional movement, so the positive electrode is the correct destination.

DNA has a negative charge from its phosphate backbone, so when an electric field is applied in gel electrophoresis, it moves toward the positive electrode (the anode). The electric field pulls negatively charged DNA toward the positive end, while the gel matrix slows larger fragments more than smaller ones, creating size-based separation. Moving toward the negative electrode would push DNA away, and a neutral plate wouldn’t create the needed directional movement, so the positive electrode is the correct destination.