What does gel electrophoresis measure in a laboratory setting?

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Gel electrophoresis is a powerful analytical technique used in molecular biology to separate and analyze macromolecules, primarily DNA, RNA, and proteins. The method involves applying an electric field to a gel matrix, which allows molecules to migrate based on their size and charge. Because DNA fragments are negatively charged due to their phosphate backbone, they move towards the positive electrode during electrophoresis.

The distance that these fragments migrate is inversely proportional to their size—the smaller the fragment, the further it travels through the gel. By comparing the migration distances of unknown samples to a set of known DNA markers or ladders, researchers can accurately determine the size of the DNA fragments present in their sample. This principle makes gel electrophoresis an essential tool for a variety of applications, such as analyzing PCR products, checking the integrity of DNA, or preparing samples for sequencing.

Thus, the primary measurement achieved through gel electrophoresis is the size of DNA fragments, which is crucial for many molecular biology experiments, including cloning, genetic mapping, and forensic analysis.

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